Adjectives ending in -ed and -ing

Level and focus

Level: A2
Category: Adjectives

Distinguish feelings from causes using adjectives such as bored/boring and interested/interesting.

By the end of this lesson, learners should be able to: Choose -ed or -ing adjectives according to experiencer and source.

Core idea

This lesson focuses on one clear grammar job. Learners should first recognise the pattern in short examples, then use it in controlled sentences, and only later combine it with other grammar.

Form

• -ed adjectives describe feelings: I am bored.
• -ing adjectives describe the thing/person/situation that causes the feeling: The film is boring.

Meaning and use

Use this grammar when the sentence needs the meaning described in the lesson goal. At this level, accuracy is more important than stylistic variety. Keep examples short, concrete and close to everyday communication before moving to longer texts.

Examples

• The lesson was interesting.
• I was interested in the lesson.
• This book is confusing.
• Many students feel confused at first.

Common mistakes

• Using -ing for the person who feels something: not I am boring in class.; use I am bored in class..
• Using -ed for the thing that causes the feeling: not The film is bored.; use The film is boring..
• Forgetting prepositions after some -ed adjectives: not interested about; use interested in.

Teaching sequence

1. Show the pattern with two or three very short examples.
2. Contrast the correct form with one common error.
3. Let learners complete controlled examples.
4. Ask learners to produce their own short sentence.
5. Finish with a mixed review item so they distinguish this point from neighbouring grammar.

Boundary: what not to cover here

Keep the preposition focus light; detailed adjective + preposition patterns are B1.

Suggested practice

Start with recognition, then controlled completion, then sentence rewriting or ordering where appropriate. Keep distractors close enough to test the grammar point, but avoid trick options that require vocabulary beyond the level.

Quick check

Before you move on, can you explain the rule in one sentence and make one example of your own?