Interested or interesting? Avoid an awkward mistake

“I am bored” and “I am boring” are both correct English, but they are very different confessions. The same contrast helps explain interested and interesting.

The -ed adjective describes the feeling

Use interested for the person who experiences the feeling: “I am interested in history.” Other common examples are excited, confused, surprised and annoyed. Remember the usual preposition: you are interested in something.

The -ing adjective describes the cause

Use interesting for the person, thing or situation that causes the feeling: “History is interesting.” An interesting teacher makes students interested; a confusing explanation leaves them confused.

Nederlandse uitleg

In het Nederlands: de vorm op -ed beschrijft meestal hoe iemand zich voelt. De vorm op -ing beschrijft wat dat gevoel veroorzaakt. “I am boring” betekent dus dat jij andere mensen verveelt.

Try it yourself

Complete both gaps: “The film was ___, so the children became ___.” One possible pair is exciting and excited.

Source: British Council LearnEnglish. Featured photograph by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash.