Adjectives ending in -ING are used to describe characteristics of a person, a thing or a situation. Adjectives ending in -ED are used to describe feelings (or how a person feels) or emotions - they are used for temporary states.

✅ Tired: If you’re tired, you need to rest, because you have little energy.
Ex: I didn’t sleep last night. This morning I am tired. 

✅ Tiring: If an activity is tiring, it makes you tired.
Ex: I find working on the computer is very tiring.

✅ Bored: If you are bored, you need stimulation.
Ex: Tommy has studied chemistry all day. He is very bored.

✅ Boring: If an activity or an object is boring, it makes you bored.
Ex: This book about the diet of North American primates is so boring!

Learn more about ajectives ending with "ed" and "ing" and practice your listening skills with this episode from our podcast.

Have you ever confused adjectives like these?

Let’s practice:

Choose the correct adjective to complete the sentence:

1) In London, no one wants to know the weather forecast. It’s too (depressed / depressing) for us

2) It has rained all day, and we have not gone outside. Because of this, we are feeling very (depressed / depressing).

3) I spent all weekend sitting on the beach and listening to the waves. It was incredibly (relaxed/ relaxing).

4) Now that I have finished all my work for the day and taken a long shower, I am very (relaxed / relaxing).

5) That calendar with photos of red telephone booths in the countryside is perhaps the most (bored / boring) thing I have ever seen.

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