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  • Writer's pictureElena

Word building: Adjectives ending in -ing/ -ed

Updated: May 18, 2021

This is probably one of the areas my students make mistakes in. Not getting it right though, could result in offending somebody unintentionally.


For example, I often hear- 'Are you boring?'


But what they are trying to say is, 'Are you bored?'


In the first example, I'm asked if I'm a boring person whereas in the second one if I actually feel bored (because the lesson is boring or I'm not interested in what's going on at the moment)


So...


Adjectives ending in -ing/-ed are used to evaluate or express an opinion about something. Let's have a look at some more examples:


1. I get irritated when people ask me personal questions. (I feel like that)

2. I don't find this topic interesting but I'm interested in the next one. (nature of the topic not interesting so I'll feel more interested when we move on to the next one)

3. Good role models can be motivating for young people (in turn, young people feel motivated)

4. I feel invigorated after an invigorating day at a spa. (I feel invigorated because my spa day was invigorating)


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