-ing and -ed Adjectives | Unit 98 | PrepMyEnglish

Unit 98 · Grammar Lesson

Unité 98 · Leçon de Grammaire

Adjectives ending in -ing and -ed
boring / bored · interesting / interested · shocking / shocked — Complete Guide Adjectifs en -ing et en -ed
boring / bored · interesting / interested · shocking / shocked — Guide Complet

Master the difference between -ing adjectives (describing a thing or situation: boring, interesting, shocking) and -ed adjectives (describing how a person feels: bored, interested, shocked).

Maîtrisez la différence entre les adjectifs en -ing (qui décrivent une chose ou une situation : boring, interesting, shocking) et les adjectifs en -ed (qui décrivent ce que ressent une personne : bored, interested, shocked).

A2 – B1 2 Rules · 3 Exercises · 200-Q Quiz · PDF 2 Règles · 3 Exercices · Quiz 200 Q · PDF 🇬🇧 EN / 🇫🇷 FR

Many English adjectives come in pairs: a -ing form and an -ed form. They look similar but mean very different things. Boring describes a situation that causes boredom; bored describes the feeling of the person experiencing it. Confusing these is one of the most common mistakes made by French speakers — because French uses a single adjective form where English uses two.

De nombreux adjectifs anglais existent en paires : une forme en -ing et une forme en -ed. Elles se ressemblent mais ont des sens très différents. Boring décrit une situation qui provoque l’ennui ; bored décrit le sentiment de la personne qui l’éprouve. Confondre ces deux formes est l’une des erreurs les plus fréquentes des francophones — car le français n’utilise qu’une seule forme adjectivale là où l’anglais en utilise deux.

boring vs bored — The Core Rule

boring vs bored — La Règle Fondamentale

Jane has been doing the same job for a very long time. She does exactly the same thing every day. She doesn’t enjoy her job any more.

Jane fait le même travail depuis très longtemps. Elle fait exactement la même chose chaque jour. Elle n’aime plus son travail.

Jane’s job is boring. ← -ing describes the JOB (it causes boredom)← -ing décrit LE TRAVAIL (il provoque l’ennui)

Jane is bored with her job. ← -ed describes how JANE FEELS (she experiences boredom)← -ed décrit ce que JANE RESSENT

-ing adjectiveAdjectif en -ing = describes a thing / situation (it CAUSES the feeling)= décrit une chose / situation (elle PROVOQUE le sentiment)
-ed adjectiveAdjectif en -ed = describes a person (they EXPERIENCE the feeling)= décrit une personne (elle ÉPROUVE le sentiment)

If something is boring → you get bored.
If something is interesting → you are interested.
If something is shocking → you are shocked.

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A person can be ‘boring’ — but it means they CAUSE boredom in others! Une personne peut être ‘boring’ — mais cela signifie qu’elle ENNUIE les autres ! ✓ Paul is really boring. (= he makes other people bored — he is a dull person) ✓ Paul is bored. (= he himself feels bored right now) ✓ Paul is really boring. (= il ennuie les autres — c’est quelqu’un d’ennuyeux) ✓ Paul is bored. (= il s’ennuie lui-même en ce moment)

Full Pair Comparison — All Common -ing / -ed Adjective Pairs

Comparaison Complète — Toutes les Paires Courantes -ing / -ed

Study each pair carefully. The -ing form always describes the cause; the -ed form always describes the feeling of the person.

Étudiez chaque paire attentivement. La forme en -ing décrit toujours la cause ; la forme en -ed décrit toujours le sentiment de la personne.

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Key test — ask yourself: Test clé — posez-vous la question : Is the word describing a thing / situation? → use -ing. Is it describing how a person feels? → use -ed. ✓ The film was boring. (the film = thing) ✓ I was bored. (I = person) Le mot décrit une chose / situation ? → utilisez -ing. Il décrit ce que ressent une personne ? → utilisez -ed.

-ing — describes the cause

-ing — décrit la cause

The film was boring.

Julia thinks politics is interesting.

It was surprising that he passed.

The movie was disappointing.

The news was shocking.

-ed — describes the feeling

-ed — décrit le sentiment

I was bored during the film.

Julia is interested in politics.

Everybody was surprised he passed.

We were disappointed with the movie.

I was shocked when I heard the news.

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Note for French speakers: Note pour les francophones : French uses the same form in both cases (e.g. intéressant). English distinguishes: ✓ C’est intéressant → It’s interesting. ✓ Je suis intéressé(e) → I’m interested. ✗ I’m interesting in politics (common error!). Le français utilise la même forme dans les deux cas (ex. intéressant). L’anglais distingue : ✓ C’est intéressant → It’s interesting. ✓ Je suis intéressé(e) → I’m interested. ✗ I’m interesting in politics (erreur fréquente !).

EX 1

Complete with the -ing or -ed form of the word in brackets.

Complétez avec la forme en -ing ou -ed du mot entre parenthèses.

1a.

The movie wasn’t as good as we expected. The movie was (disappoint).The movie wasn’t as good as we expected. The movie was (disappoint).

1b.

We were (disappoint) with the movie.We were (disappoint) with the movie.

2a.

Donna’s job is hard but she enjoys it. It’s often (exhaust).Donna’s job is hard but she enjoys it. It’s often (exhaust).

2b.

At the end of a day’s work, she is often (exhaust).At the end of a day’s work, she is often (exhaust).

3a.

It’s been raining all day. This weather is (depress).It’s been raining all day. This weather is (depress).

3b.

This weather makes me (depress).This weather makes me (depress).

4a.

Clare is going to Mexico. It will be an (excite) experience.Clare is going to Mexico. It will be an (excite) experience.

4b.

She is really (excite) about going.She is really (excite) about going.

Answers:Réponses : 1a. disappointing · 1b. disappointed · 2a. exhausting · 2b. exhausted · 3a. depressing · 3b. depressed · 4a. exciting · 4b. excited

EX 2

Choose the correct word.

Choisissez le bon mot.

I was with the movie. I had expected it to be better.

I’m not particularly in football.

The new project sounds . I’m looking forward to working on it.

It can be when you have to ask people for money.

I’d never expected to get the job. I was when I was offered it.

She’s learnt very fast. She’s made progress.

I didn’t find the situation funny. I was not .

It was a really experience. Everybody was very .

Why do you always look so ? Is your life really so ?

Answers:Réponses : 1. disappointed · 2. interested · 3. exciting · 4. embarrassing · 5. amazed · 6. amazing · 7. amused · 8. terrifying / shocked · 9. bored / boring

EX 3

Complete each sentence using a word from the box (correct -ing or -ed form).

Complétez chaque phrase avec un mot du cadre (forme -ing ou -ed correcte).

amuse · annoy · bore · confuse · disgust · exhaust · excite · interest · surprise · tire

You work very hard. It’s not that you’re always tired.

Some people get very easily. They always need something new.

The teacher’s explanation was . Nobody understood it.

The kitchen hadn’t been cleaned for ages. It was really .

I don’t go to art galleries often. I’m not very in art.

There’s no need to get just because I’m a few minutes late.

The lecture was . I fell asleep.

I’ve been working very hard all day and now I’m .

I’m starting a new job next week. I’m very about it.

10.

Steve is good at telling funny stories. He can be very .

11.

Helen is a very person. She knows a lot and has done many different things.

Answers:Réponses : 1. surprising · 2. bored · 3. confusing · 4. disgusting · 5. interested · 6. annoyed · 7. boring · 8. exhausted · 9. excited · 10. amusing · 11. interesting

Frequently Asked Questions — -ing and -ed Adjectives

Questions Fréquentes — Adjectifs en -ing et -ed

What is the main difference between -ing and -ed adjectives? Quelle est la principale différence entre les adjectifs en -ing et -ed ?

-ing describes the thing or situation that causes the feeling: The film was boring (the film causes boredom). -ed describes how a person feels: I was bored (I experienced boredom). If something is boring, you get bored. If something is interesting, you are interested.

-ing décrit la chose ou situation qui provoque le sentiment. -ed décrit ce que ressent une personne.

Can a person be described with a -ing adjective? Peut-on décrire une personne avec un adjectif en -ing ?

Yes — but it means that person causes the feeling in others. ✓ Paul is really boring = Paul makes other people bored; he is a dull person. ✓ Paul is bored = Paul himself feels bored. The distinction is crucial: a boring person ≠ a bored person.

Oui — mais cela signifie que cette personne provoque le sentiment chez les autres. ✓ Paul is really boring = Paul ennuie les autres. ✓ Paul is bored = Paul s’ennuie lui-même.

Why do French speakers often say “I’m interesting in…” instead of “I’m interested in…”? Pourquoi les francophones disent-ils souvent “I’m interesting in…” au lieu de “I’m interested in…” ?

In French, the same form intéressant is used for both meanings. English separates them: interesting = describes something that causes interest; interested = describes how you feel. ✗ I’m interesting in music (wrong — this would mean “I am a fascinating person when talking about music”). ✓ I’m interested in music.

En français, intéressant s’utilise pour les deux sens. L’anglais les sépare : ✗ I’m interesting in music (signifierait “je suis quelqu’un de fascinant quand on parle de musique”). ✓ I’m interested in music.

Does this rule apply to all -ing/-ed adjective pairs? Cette règle s’applique-t-elle à toutes les paires d’adjectifs en -ing/-ed ?

Yes, consistently: boring/bored · interesting/interested · shocking/shocked · surprising/surprised · disappointing/disappointed · exhausting/exhausted · confusing/confused · annoying/annoyed · exciting/excited · depressing/depressed · terrifying/terrified · satisfying/satisfied · amusing/amused · embarrassing/embarrassed · motivating/motivated. The -ing form = cause; the -ed form = feeling.

Oui, de façon constante pour toutes ces paires. La forme en -ing = cause ; la forme en -ed = sentiment.

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Unit 98 Quiz

Quiz Unité 97

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Adjectives ending in -ing and -ed
boring / bored · interesting / interested · shocking / shocked — Complete Guide Adjectifs en -ing et en -ed
boring / bored · interesting / interested · shocking / shocked — Guide Complet

boring vs bored — The Core Rule

boring vs bored — La Règle Fondamentale

Full Pair Comparison — All Common -ing / -ed Adjective Pairs

Comparaison Complète — Toutes les Paires Courantes -ing / -ed

-ing — describes the cause

-ing — décrit la cause

-ed — describes the feeling

-ed — décrit le sentiment

-ing and -ed Adjectives — ExercisesAdjectifs en -ing et -ed — Exercices

Complete with the -ing or -ed form of the word in brackets.

Complétez avec la forme en -ing ou -ed du mot entre parenthèses.

Choose the correct word.

Choisissez le bon mot.

Complete each sentence using a word from the box (correct -ing or -ed form).

Complétez chaque phrase avec un mot du cadre (forme -ing ou -ed correcte).

Frequently Asked Questions — -ing and -ed Adjectives

Questions Fréquentes — Adjectifs en -ing et -ed

-ing and -ed Adjectives — Quiz

Adjectifs en -ing et -ed — Quiz

⚙️ Quiz SettingsParamètres du Quiz

Unit 98 Quiz

Quiz Unité 97

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Evènements

-ing (describes the thing/situation)	-ed (describes how the person feels)	-ing (décrit la chose/situation)	-ed (décrit ce que ressent la personne)
My job is boring.	I’m bored with my job.	My job is boring.	I’m bored with my job.
The lecture was interesting.	I’m interested in politics.	The lecture was interesting.	I’m interested in politics.
This work is tiring.	I get very tired doing this.	This work is tiring.	I get very tired doing this.
The result was satisfying.	I’m not satisfied with the result.	The result was satisfying.	I’m not satisfied with the result.
The weather was depressing.	The weather makes me depressed.	The weather was depressing.	The weather makes me depressed.
It was surprising that he passed.	Everybody was surprised that he passed.	It was surprising that he passed.	Everybody was surprised that he passed.
The movie was disappointing.	We were disappointed with the movie.	The movie was disappointing.	We were disappointed with the movie.
The news was shocking.	I was shocked when I heard the news.	The news was shocking.	I was shocked when I heard the news.
It was embarrassing to ask for money.	Do you get embarrassed easily?	It was embarrassing to ask for money.	Do you get embarrassed easily?
The match was exciting.	The fans were excited about the match.	The match was exciting.	The fans were excited about the match.
The exam was exhausting.	I was exhausted after the exam.	The exam was exhausting.	I was exhausted after the exam.
The explanation was confusing.	I was confused by the explanation.	The explanation was confusing.	I was confused by the explanation.
The story was amusing.	I was not amused by the joke.	The story was amusing.	I was not amused by the joke.
The experience was terrifying.	The passengers were terrified.	The experience was terrifying.	The passengers were terrified.
His behaviour was annoying.	I was really annoyed by his behaviour.	His behaviour was annoying.	I was really annoyed by his behaviour.
The film was moving / touching.	I was deeply moved / touched.	The film was moving / touching.	I was deeply moved / touched.

Adjectives ending in -ing and -edboring / bored · interesting / interested · shocking / shocked — Complete Guide Adjectifs en -ing et en -edboring / bored · interesting / interested · shocking / shocked — Guide Complet

boring vs bored — The Core Rule

boring vs bored — La Règle Fondamentale

Full Pair Comparison — All Common -ing / -ed Adjective Pairs

Comparaison Complète — Toutes les Paires Courantes -ing / -ed

-ing — describes the cause

-ing — décrit la cause

-ed — describes the feeling

-ed — décrit le sentiment

-ing and -ed Adjectives — ExercisesAdjectifs en -ing et -ed — Exercices

Complete with the -ing or -ed form of the word in brackets.

Complétez avec la forme en -ing ou -ed du mot entre parenthèses.

Choose the correct word.

Choisissez le bon mot.

Complete each sentence using a word from the box (correct -ing or -ed form).

Complétez chaque phrase avec un mot du cadre (forme -ing ou -ed correcte).

Frequently Asked Questions — -ing and -ed Adjectives

Questions Fréquentes — Adjectifs en -ing et -ed

-ing and -ed Adjectives — Quiz

Adjectifs en -ing et -ed — Quiz

⚙️ Quiz SettingsParamètres du Quiz

Unit 98 Quiz

Quiz Unité 97

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Adjectives ending in -ing and -ed
boring / bored · interesting / interested · shocking / shocked — Complete Guide Adjectifs en -ing et en -ed
boring / bored · interesting / interested · shocking / shocked — Guide Complet