Participial adjectives are adjectives formed from verbs—usually ending in -ed or -ing—and they help us describe how someone feels or what causes a feeling. They’re often used to make writing more specific and expressive.
For example, “interested” and “interesting” both come from the verb “interest,” but they don’t mean the same thing. We say “She is interested in science” (how she feels) and “The book is interesting” (what causes the feeling).
What Are Participial Adjectives?
Participial adjectives are adjectives that come from verbs. They are usually in the -ing or -ed form, and they describe states, feelings, or qualities.
- The -ing form (present participle) describes what causes a feeling.
- The -ed form (past participle) describes how someone feels.
These adjectives help make writing more specific, especially when describing experiences, emotions, or reactions.
Examples:
- The movie was exciting. (It caused excitement.)
- We were excited about the movie. (We felt excitement.)
- It’s a tiring job. (The job causes tiredness.)
- She looked tired. (She felt tired.)
Unlike regular verbs, participial adjectives don’t show action—they simply describe a noun.
Present vs. Past Participial Adjectives
Understanding the difference between -ing and -ed participial adjectives helps avoid common mistakes in writing and speech.
Present Participial Adjectives (-ing)
These describe what causes a feeling or reaction.
They often describe things, situations, or people that affect others.
Examples:
- The lecture was boring.
- That’s a very confusing map.
- We had an amazing experience.
Past Participial Adjectives (-ed)
These describe how someone feels in response to something.
They are often used to show a reaction or emotional state.
Examples:
- I was bored during the lecture.
- He felt confused after reading the instructions.
- She was amazed by the magician’s trick.
Tip: If the adjective describes how someone feels, use -ed.
If it describes what causes the feeling, use -ing.
Common Participial Adjective Pairs
The table below shows pairs of -ing and -ed adjectives formed from the same verb. Each pair has different usage depending on whether it describes a cause or a feeling.
| -ing Form (Cause) | -ed Form (Feeling) |
|---|---|
| amusing | amused |
| confusing | confused |
| surprising | surprised |
| annoying | annoyed |
| exciting | excited |
| boring | bored |
| tiring | tired |
| disappointing | disappointed |
| frightening | frightened |
| interesting | interested |
| exhausting | exhausted |
| embarrassing | embarrassed |
| satisfying | satisfied |
| terrifying | terrified |
| relaxing | relaxed |
Participial Adjectives in Sentences
- The instructions were confusing, so I felt confused.
- That was a truly amazing goal. The fans were amazed.
- His jokes are always amusing, and the audience looks amused.
- I found the movie boring, and I was honestly bored.
- The rollercoaster ride was exciting. We were all excited afterward.
- It’s a tiring task, and she looked really tired by the end.
- The unexpected question was surprising. He seemed genuinely surprised.
- The noise outside is annoying, and the baby looks annoyed.
- Their kindness was touching. I felt touched by their gesture.
- The test was frustrating. Most of us were frustrated.
- That documentary was shocking. We were completely shocked.
- Her attitude is irritating, and I’m getting irritated.
- The long hike was exhausting. Everyone looked exhausted.
- His mistake was embarrassing. He looked visibly embarrassed.
- The calm music was relaxing, and I felt relaxed afterward.
- The ending was disappointing, and I’m still disappointed.
- The haunted house was terrifying. The kids were terrified.
- That meal was satisfying, and we all felt satisfied.
- The update was confusing, and several users appeared confused.
- The storm was frightening, especially for the frightened pets.
When to Use Participial Adjectives
Participial adjectives are used in everyday English to describe people, things, experiences, or situations. Knowing where and how to place them helps keep your writing and speaking clear and natural.
Before a Noun
Use participial adjectives directly before the noun they describe.
- We joined an exciting workshop.
- She wore a confusing costume.
After Linking Verbs
Participial adjectives often come after verbs like be, seem, feel, or become to describe a subject’s state or reaction.
- He was bored by the lecture.
- They felt amused by the magician.
In Descriptions and Reactions
They help express opinions, feelings, or character traits more vividly.
- It’s been an exhausting week.
- The children were frightened by the loud thunder.
FAQs About Participial Adjectives
What is a participial adjective?
A participial adjective is an adjective formed from a verb, usually ending in -ing or -ed, used to describe a person, thing, or feeling. For example, boring and bored are both participial adjectives from the verb bore.
What is the difference between -ed and -ing adjectives?
Use -ed to describe how someone feels (e.g., I’m bored) and -ing to describe what causes the feeling (e.g., The movie is boring).
Are participial adjectives only from action verbs?
No. They can be formed from both action and non-action verbs, as long as the verb form expresses a state or quality, like satisfy → satisfied/satisfying or confuse → confused/confusing.
Can participial adjectives be used before a noun?
Yes. For example, a frightening experience or an amazed crowd. They can also appear after linking verbs like is, was, or seems.
Is “interested” a participial adjective?
Yes. Interested is the past participle of interest, and it’s used as an adjective to describe a feeling (e.g., She is interested in history).