Learn '-ed' and '-ing' Adjectives - How to Use + Example Sentence
Updated: Apr 21
Struggling with bored vs boring?
This simple guide explains -ed and -ing adjectives with clear examples, common mistakes, and an easy rule you’ll remember.
What is the difference between -ed and -ing adjectives?
-ed adjectives describe how a person feels
→ I am tired.
-ing adjectives describe the thing that causes the feeling
→ Studying is tiring.
👉 Easy rule:
-ed = feeling (person)
-ing = cause (thing)
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What are '-ed' & '-ing' Adjectives?
The Present Participle (-ing form) & Past Participle (-ed form) are also used as Adjectives.
✔️ '-ed' Adjective e.g. > bored
✔️ '-ing' Adjective e.g. > boring
2. 📖 When to use '-ed' , '-ing' as Adjectives in a sentence?
✔️ Use (-ed adjective):
to describe how the person feel.
e.g. The children are excited about the class party. (the children feel excited)
✔️ Use (-ing adjective):
to describe the person or thing that cause the feeling.
e.g. What an exciting day! (the day is exciting)
3. How to use use '-ed' , '-ing' as adjectives - Example Sentence
(-ing) adjective (-ed) adjective
a. Today's lesson was boring. → The students were bored.
b. That's an interesting book. → She's interested in the book.
c. The story plot is confusing. → Poor Emma looks confused.
d. The trip was so disappointing. → We were so disappointed.
e. What a tiring day! → I feel so tired.
How to form '-ed', '-ing' Adjectives
Note the spelling changes for the following:
To make '-ed' Adjective
add 'd' to the 'e' ending
- excite → excited
To make -ing Adjective
drop 'e' for the 'e' ending
- excite → excited → exciting
e.g.
amaze → amazed → amazing
thrill → thrilled → thrilling
irritate → irritated → irritating
📚 Grammar Check!
For more -ed, -ing Adjectives grammar uses, spelling rules, etc.
5. What are adjectives in '-ed' and '-ing form' - Example Word List
'-ing' '-ed'
annoying annoyed
charming charmed
depressing depressed
disgusting disgusted
exhausting exhausted
fascinating fascinated
frightening frightened
relaxing relaxed
surprising surprised
terrifying terrified
worrying worried
6. '-ed', '-ing' Adjectives - More Example Sentence
Example A
Brenda is such an annoying neighbour. She gossips and talks loudly all the time. But her husband David, is charming & soft-spoken.
Many ladies in the village are charmed by his good looks and gentle manner.
Example B
👩 A: Hey, Stacey. What're you up to?
👩🦰 B: (sigh)
Not good. It was raining so I can't go hiking. And I can't stay in as my rooms are under renovation.
👩 A: Oh dear. That sounds depressing.
👩🦰 B: It is. Hey, what's up?
👩 A: Do you want to meet for coffee? I know a nice place.
👩🦰 B: Well...
👩 A: Come on. It'll be nice day out. Better than staying home and feeling depressed.
👩🦰 B: Haha, you're right. Ok, then...
Example C
The new horror movie was terrifying! Nina and I were clutching each other the whole time. You could hear screams from some girls.
They sounded absolutely terrified.
Example D
👨🦱Son: Hi mum, how was your day?
🧑Mum: I had an exhausting day at work. Shall we order takeout?
👨🦱Son : Again?
🧑Mum: Sorry honey. I'm too exhausted to make dinner.
Example E
It's not surprising to see Amy at our local bakery. She lives in the next town but she absolutely loves the bakes here.
So we were not surprised to hear that she visits on weekends.
Example D
Tina and I went to the art museum yesterday. There were many fascinating paintings to look at.
Tina was so fascinated with a 1700's portrait of a beautiful lady on a swing.
Example E
My children had a frightening experience recently.
They were at the playground when they saw a traffic accident.
Matt and Liam became so frightened that they couldn't stop crying.
Example F
My mum is worried about my brother. He lives alone in the city and he hasn't returned any of her calls.
It's quite a worrying situation because he'd always call her back.
7. 🎬Let's recap!
How to use '-ed', '-ing' adjectives correctly - Example
Interesting or interested?
(-ing adjective):
✔️ to describe the person or thing that cause the feeling.
(-ed adjective):
✔️ to describe how the person feel.
7. 📚Time for Your Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct -ed , -ing Adjectives.
a) tired, interesting, tiring
The new mall has so many ................. shops. I bought so many things. But I had to leave after shopping for 3 hours. I was so .......... My feet were killing me! Shopping is so ............
b) boring, bored
I was .............in today's class. It was so ............. that I fell asleep during the lesson.
c) excited, exciting
What an ............... TV series! I was so ................ to watch each episode and couldn't wait for Season 2 to come out.
d) disgusting, disgusted
Tim, please empty the kitchen bin! The smell is .............. Even Johnny (pet dog) was so ................. that he refused to go near his bowl.
e) surprising, surprised
Mum: Dean did all his chores last week.
Dad : That's not ............ at all. You promised you'd get him the latest toy if he behaved, remember?
Sis : Well, I'm not .............. at all. He told me he had to clean his room as he wanted the new toy you'd promised.
Answers:
a) interesting, tired, tiring
b) bored, boring
c) exciting, excited
d) disgusting, disgusted
e) surprised, surprising
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❓ FAQ: -ED vs -ING Adjectives in English
1. What is the difference between -ed and -ing adjectives?
-ed adjectives describe how someone feels
👉 I am tired.
-ing adjectives describe the thing or situation
👉 Walking is tiring.
✨ Tip:
-ed = emotion (person)
-ing = cause (thing)
2. When should I use -ed adjectives?
Use -ed adjectives when talking about feelings or reactions.
✔ Examples:
She is excited about her trip.
I feel bored at home.
💡 Think: How do I feel?
3. When should I use -ing adjectives?
Use -ing adjectives to describe people, things, or situations that cause feelings.
✔ Examples:
The lesson is interesting.
That book is boring.
💡 Think: What causes the feeling?
4. Why do learners confuse -ed and -ing adjectives?
Many learners confuse them because they come from the same verb.
👉 Example:
bore → bored / boring
But the meaning changes:
I am bored (feeling)
This class is boring (cause)
5. Can I use -ed adjectives for things?
❌ Usually no.
Incorrect:
The movie is bored
✔ Correct:
The movie is boring
👉 Use -ed for people and -ing for things
6. Can a person be described with -ing adjectives?
✔ Yes! When describing personality or behavior.
Examples:
She is interesting.
He is annoying.
👉 This means the person causes that feeling in others
7. What are common -ed and -ing adjective pairs?
Here are popular examples:
Verb | -ED Adjective | -ING Adjective |
excite | excited | exciting |
bore | bored | boring |
interest | interested | interesting |
tire | tired | tiring |
confuse | confused | confusing |
8. How can I remember the difference easily?
✨ Try this simple rule:
👉 -ED = Me (my feeling)👉 -ING = It (the thing)
Example:
I am confused → feeling
This grammar is confusing → cause
9. Are -ed and -ing adjectives used in everyday English?
✔ Yes! They are very common in daily conversations.
Examples:
I’m so tired today.
That show is really exciting!
💬 You’ll hear them in:
Conversations
Movies
Social media
Work and travel situations
10. What is a common mistake to avoid?
❌ I am very boring.(This means YOU make others bored!)
✔ Correct:
I am very bored.
👉 Always check:Am I describing my feeling or the situation?
✨ Bonus Tip for Learners
Practise with this sentence pattern:
👉 I feel ___ because something is ___.
Example:
I feel excited because the trip is exciting.
✏️ Share your answer in the comments below ⬇️
🎓 Take your learning further with Adjectives
👉Superlative Adjectives Explained: Rules + Examples
👉Emily's Enchanted Cottage: Learn Adjectives Through Fun Story
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English Vocabulary Quiz Series
Learn Grammar Through Engaging Stories
Learn Vocabulary Through Stories: Fun & Easy ESL
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