Adjectives ending in ED and ING

Adjectives that end ‘-ed’ (e.g. ‘bored’, ‘interested’) and adjectives that end ‘-ing’ (e.g. ‘boring’, ‘interesting’) are often confused.

Adjectives ending in -ed show what has happened to a person or thing.

Adjectives ending in -ing show the effect which something has on a person or thing.

Example: If you meet someone who makes you laugh then he is amusing. You are always amused when you speak to him.

Compare the difference:

• My girlfriend is bored. - (My girlfriend feels bored)
• My girlfriend is boring. - (My girlfriend is a boring person)

• I am confused. - (I don't understand something)
• I am confusing. - (I will cause you to be confused)

-ed / -ing adjectives: