Using –ed and –ing Verb Forms as Adjectives

Verb

-ed form

-ing form

depress

depressed

depressing

embarrass

embarrassed

embarrassing

excite

excited

exciting

tire

tired

tiring

worry

worried

worrying

interest

interested

interesting


Sample Sentences:

1. Lucy was depressed. Having her mother hospitalized is depressing for her.

2. I got really embarrassed when I fell down in the lobby. Falling down in public is embarrassing.

3. Ron is really excited about his trip to Morocco. Traveling abroad is always exciting.

4. Lynn feels really tired. Taking care of her new baby is a tiring situation.

5. You look worried. Is getting married so worrying for you that you can’t sleep?

6. This book about UFOs is very interesting. I am really interested in this particular subject.


What are the rules?

Ø -ed Verb Forms are used to mainly describe people. This verb form describes a state of being, some kind of a feeling the person is experiencing.

Ø -ing Verv Forms are frequently used to describe situations or things. This other verb form describes how a situation or object is.


Special Situations

-ing Verb forms can also describe people. It is not that common, yet the possibility exists. When an –ing form is used with a person, it actually describe a quality of the person, not a feeling the person is experiencing.


Sample Sentences:

1. Beth is depressing! She always sees the downside of everything.

2. Don’t you ever go out with Kenny! He’s embarrassing; he’ll do the most stupid things in front of other people that you’ll simply feel like running away.

3. My two-year-old baby brother is the most tiring person I know. You need extra energy to deal with him all day long.

4. Phil is worrying. If he doesn’t do his part of the homework, all of us will be in trouble.

5. Talking to Professor Terrell is awesome. She is so interesting that you will always pay attention to her.


0