-ed and -ing adjectives

-ed and –ing adjectives

We can make adjectives from verbs by adding –ing or –ed or by using the past participle form if the verb is irregular.

–ing adjectives tell us how something makes us feel.

This movie is boring. (= It makes me feel bored.)

We had an exciting trip to the zoo. (= The trip made us feel excited.)

‘We saw a real ghost! It was so frightening.’ (= We felt frightened.)

-ed adjectives tell us how somebody feels.

I’m tired.

He was interested in the idea.

She has always been terrified of spiders.

Some –ed and –ing adjectives are not connected to feelings.

a sunken boat a sliding door

a closed deal a moving part

a broken glass a sinking feeling

a finished project a floating boat

a written complaint a ringing phone

Other common –ed / –ing adjectives:

disappointed / disappointed

amused / amusing

confused / confusing

Most –ed and –ing adjectives go before the noun they describe:

An interesting movie

The interested party

However, many –ed and –ing adjectives can also go immediately after the noun they describe:

Everyone interested in the discussion was present. (=everyone who was interested…)

The cat lying on the sofa is mine. (the cat which is lying on the sofa…)

Some of these adjectives are rarely or never used before a noun:

infected, caused, found, included, provided, applying, discussed, questioned, taken, selected, stolen, remaining, identified