The following is a summary of the difference between adjectives ending in "-ed" and adjectives ending "-ing". You may use the resource cards at the end of this page for further reading and practice.

"-ed" Adjectives

Adjectives that end in -ed are used to describe a person’s feelings, emotions, or opinions. In other words, these adjectives tell us about someone's feelings. (These people "feel or receive the feelings")

Examples of sentences containing adjectives that end in -ed used to describe a person’s feelings, emotions, or opinions:

• She is shocked to find mayonnaise in her hot dog. (This explains why she is looking in horror at her hot dog, right now)

• I was confused by the judge. (I didn't understand the judge)

• John is tired after a long day at work. (John is at home, right now, and he's fatigued after 8 hours at the office)

• We were excited to play extreme sports. (We played some extreme sports and it was cool and fun)

• My girlfriend is bored. (She doesn't know what to do, right now)

"-ing" Adjectives

Adjectives that end in -ing are used to describe things, people, places, and activities. In other words, these adjectives tell us what evoked the feelings in the first place by describing the characteristic of the thing. (These things are the "causes or sources of feelings")

Examples of sentences containing adjectives that end in -ing used to describe things, people, places, and activities:

• A hot dog with mayonnaise on it is shocking. (It is strange to put mayonnaise on a hot dog)

• The judge was confusing. (The judge caused confusion in people)

• A long day at work is tiring. (When people work, they get tired)

• Extreme sports are exciting. (When people play extreme sports, their adrenaline increases)

• My girlfriend is boring. (People around her want to be somewhere else)