Feeling Adjectives: -ed vs. -ing!
Hello Super Students!
Welcome to a very exciting lesson! Today, we are going to learn about special describing words called adjectives that end with -ed and -ing. Knowing how to use them will make your English sound amazing and help you share your feelings and describe the world around you much better. Let's begin!
The "-ed" Adjectives: How YOU Feel!
What are -ed Adjectives?
This is the easy part! Adjectives that end in -ed are used to describe a feeling or an emotion. They tell us how a person (or sometimes an animal) feels inside.
Think of them as "feeling words". If you can feel it, you use -ed!
For example:
If you are not having fun, you feel... bored.
If something wonderful happens, you feel... excited.
If you learn something new and cool, you are... interested.
Let's See Some Examples!
Here are some sentences. Notice how the -ed adjective describes the person's feeling.
- The children were excited about the picnic. (This tells us how the children felt.)
- All of us are interested in the game. (This tells us how we felt about the game.)
- After playing all day, I feel very tired. (This describes my feeling.)
- The cat was frightened by the loud noise. (This describes the cat's feeling.)
Memory Trick!
Here’s a simple trick to remember: Think of the letter 'd' in -ed. Feelings happen inside your head! So, when you talk about a feeling, use the adjective that ends in -ed.
Key Takeaway for -ed
-ed adjectives tell us how a person or animal FEELS.
The "-ing" Adjectives: What CAUSES the Feeling!
What are -ing Adjectives?
Adjectives that end in -ing are a little different. They don't describe the feeling itself. Instead, they describe the thing, person, or event that CAUSES the feeling.
Think of them as "cause words". They describe what *makes* someone feel a certain way.
Let's See Some Examples!
Look at how the -ing adjective describes the thing or person that causes a feeling.
- The football match was exciting. (The match caused the feeling of excitement.)
- This teacher is interesting. (The teacher causes us to feel interested.)
- Running a long race is tiring. (The race is the thing that makes you feel tired.)
- That horror movie was very frightening. (The movie caused the feeling of fear.)
Memory Trick!
Here's a fun trick: An -ing adjective often describes a thing!
Key Takeaway for -ing
-ing adjectives describe the thing, person, or event that CAUSES a feeling.
Let's Put Them Together!
Seeing the Difference
The best way to learn is to see them side-by-side. Don't worry if this seems tricky at first, you'll get it with practice!
Look at this:
- The story was boring. (The story is the *thing* that causes the feeling.)
- Because the story was boring, I felt bored. (My feeling is 'bored'.)
Let's try another one:
- The loud noise was annoying. (The noise is the *thing*.)
- I was annoyed by the loud noise. (This is how *I* felt.)
A Quick Step-by-Step Guide
When you need to choose between -ed and -ing, ask yourself:
1. Who or what am I describing?
2. Am I describing how a person feels? If yes, use -ed.
3. Am I describing the thing that is making them feel that way? If yes, use -ing.
Watch Out! A Common Mistake
Don't Mix Them Up!
A very common mistake is mixing these two up. It can change the whole meaning of your sentence!
- "I am bored."
This means: I don't have anything to do and I feel a bit sleepy and unhappy.
- "I am boring."
This means: I am a person who makes OTHER people feel bored! (Oh no!)
See the difference? It's a big one! Just remember our tricks: you FEEL bored, but a lesson can BE boring.
Did you know?
Many of these "-ed" and "-ing" adjectives actually come from verbs (action words)! The verb "to excite" can become the feeling (excited) or the cause of the feeling (exciting). How cool is that?
Let's Recap!
You've done a fantastic job! Here is a final summary to help you remember everything.
-ED Adjectives
- Describe a FEELING.
- Used for people and animals.
- Example: I am so excited for my birthday!
-ING Adjectives
- Describe the CAUSE of a feeling.
- Used for things, people, or events.
- Example: My birthday party is going to be so exciting!
Well done for learning all about -ed and -ing adjectives! Keep practicing by describing how you feel and what makes you feel that way. You'll be an expert in no time!