Introduction

We can use the present and past participles of verbs that describe an effect that is made on something as adjectives.

We use the present participle (ending with "–ing") as an adjective to describe how the subject causes the effect. We use the past participle (ending with "–ed") as an adjective to describe how the subject experiences the effect.

Examples:

From the root verb "surprise":

• "David is surprising."
  David causes surprise.
• "David is surprised."
  David experiences surprise.

Form: -ed or -ing?

Here are some examples of participles of verbs that can be used as adjectives:

Root verb (describing an effect)	adjective "-ing" (present participle)	adjective "–ed" (past participle)
bore	boring	bored
disappoint	disappointing	disappointed
disgust	disgusting	disgusted
embarrass	embarrassing	embarrassed
exhaust	exhausting	exhausted
excite	exciting	excited
interest	interesting	interested
satisfy	satisfying	satisfied
shock	shocking	shocked
surprise	surprising	surprised
tire	tiring	tired

Examples

We use participles as adjectives in the same way as other adjectives, for example:

with "be":

• "The food is disappointing".
  The food causes disappointment.
• "We are disappointed by the food."
  We experience disappointment.

• "The race was exhausting".
  The race caused exhaustion.
• "They were exhausted after they finished the race."
  They experienced exhaustion.

before a noun:

• "It was a satisfying meal."
  The meal caused satisfaction.
• "He was a satisfied customer."
  The customer experienced satisfaction.

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Practice

Complete the sentences with the correct adjective from the root verb in brackets:

• They enjoyed the film but the ending was . (shock)
   
• The results of the experiment led to some conclusions. (interest)
   
• She worked until late last night. She was very this morning. (tire)
   
• I left the party because I was . (bore)
   

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Further practice

Choose the correct answer to complete the sentence: a, b, c or d.

• I'm ____ about my holiday next week.


excite excites exciting excited



• She ____ with his answer.


wasn’t satisfy wasn’t satisfying isn’t satisfied isn’t satisfying



• His presentation was very ____.


interested interesting interests interest



• They ____ by the children's behaviour.


were disgusted are disgusting were disgusting is disgusted



• I don’t like to speak in public. It is ____.


embarrassed embarrass embarrasses embarrassing 



• The end of year results ____.


is disappointed are disappointing are disappointed is disappointing

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