The core rule
| Form | Used for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -ing adjective | The thing or person that causes the feeling | The lecture was boring. (the lecture caused boredom) |
| -ed adjective | The person who experiences the feeling | I was bored during the lecture. (I felt boredom) |
Simple test:
Ask yourself: is this the thing that creates the feeling (-ing) or the person who feels it (-ed)? "The scary film" (it creates fear). "The scared child" (the child feels fear).
Common pairs
| -ing (causes the feeling) | -ed (feels it) | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| boring | bored | a boring job · a bored student |
| exciting | excited | an exciting match · an excited crowd |
| interesting | interested | an interesting topic · interested in science |
| confusing | confused | a confusing question · a confused tourist |
| tiring | tired | a tiring day · a tired parent |
| frightening | frightened | a frightening noise · a frightened dog |
| surprising | surprised | a surprising result · a surprised look |
| disappointing | disappointed | a disappointing film · disappointed fans |
| embarrassing | embarrassed | an embarrassing mistake · an embarrassed smile |
| shocking | shocked | shocking news · a shocked expression |
| relaxing | relaxed | a relaxing holiday · a relaxed atmosphere |
| annoying | annoyed | an annoying sound · an annoyed customer |
Exercises
Choose -ed or -ing.
1. The documentary was really ___. I learned a lot.
2. I was ___ when I heard the news. I didn't expect it at all.
3. She felt really ___ after the long journey.
4. It was an ___ situation — everyone laughed at me.
5. The children were ___ when their team scored the winning goal.