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Teacher cue
B1 · English Grammar

Participial
Adjectives

The film was boring. I was bored.

-ing -ed
The idea

Two adjectives, one verb

Many adjectives come in pairs from the same verb. The ending tells you who or what we're describing.

Examples

The film was boring. → The film caused boredom.

I was bored. → I felt boredom.

The rule

-ing → the cause

-ed → the feeling

Same verb, opposite focus.

The choice

Which ending do I use?

-ing
Describes the thing or situation that causes the feeling
The news was shocking.
It was an exhausting journey.
-ed
Describes how a person feels
We were shocked by the news.
She felt completely exhausted.
Vocabulary

Common pairs

bore
boring
bored
excite
exciting
excited
interest
interesting
interested
surprise
surprising
surprised
exhaust
exhausting
exhausted
fascinate
fascinating
fascinated
In real sentences

See them in action

-ing (cause)

I stayed up all night — the book was absolutely fascinating.

-ed (feeling)

We were really disappointed when the concert was canceled.

-ing (cause)

The rollercoaster was the most exciting thing I've ever done.

-ed (feeling)

She was embarrassed when she walked into the wrong classroom.

⚠ Watch out

Common mistakes

I was boring at the party.

I was bored at the party.

The documentary was very interested.

The documentary was very interesting.

She gave an excited speech.

She gave an exciting speech.

It was an exhausted journey.

It was an exhausting journey.

Now it's your turn

Let's
practice.

Say the answer out loud — then tap to check.

Practice 1
tap the blank to reveal

Choose the form

I stayed up all night — the book was absolutely(fascinate)
She was(embarrass)when she walked into the wrong classroom.
The rollercoaster was the most(excite)thing I've ever done.
We were really(disappoint)when the concert was canceled.
It's(amaze)how quickly children learn a new language.
Practice 2
tap a sentence to reveal the error

Spot the mistake

The lecture wasA so boringB that half the students were boringC byD the end.

Cwere boring → were bored

✓ -ed describes how a person feels

The results of the survey wasA surprising, althoughB the researchers were notC particularlyD shocked.

AThe results of the survey was → The results of the survey were

✓ the results is plural → were

She felt exhaustedA after the flight, butB the view was amazingC and she was very relaxingD.

Dand she was very relaxing → and she was very relaxed

✓ the person is relaxed; the thing is relaxing

Practice 3
tap to reveal a model answer

Complete the sentence

The instructions were so confusing
I was really surprised
The news about the earthquake was
The film was so boring
Speak & write

Your turn — make your own

Answer in a full sentence using the correct form: -ing or -ed.

Tell me about a film or series that you found boring or bored you. Why?
Describe something surprising that happened to you recently.
What's the most exhausting thing you've ever done? How did you feel?
Name a topic you find fascinating. What makes it interesting?
Recap

Remember this

-ing adjective
describes the cause
-ed adjective
describes the feeling
The cause is usually
a thing or situation
The feeler is usually
a person or animal

Ask yourself: is this the cause, or the person who feels it?

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