Interested, Interesting, Bored, Boring, Excited, Exciting

• I was very interested in the offer. (NOT I was very interesting in the offer.)
• Are you interested in politics? (NOT Are you interesting in politics?)
• I am so excited about the picnic.
• I am getting bored with her endless nagging.
• I am still confused about what happened.

The present participles interesting, boring, exciting, confusing etc., describe the people or things that make others interested, bored, excited etc.

For example, if you are interested in a program, that program must be very interesting. If you are excited about an offer, that offer has to be very exciting.

• The film was very interesting. (Therefore, I was very interested in watching it.)
• The offer was very exciting. I just couldn’t resist it.
• Her explanation was quite confusing. I couldn’t figure out anything.

Exercise

Complete the following sentences using appropriate present participle or past participle forms.

1. She was feeling a bit ……………………….. (confused / confusing). She didn’t know what to do.

2. He is very ……………………….. in philosophy. (interested / interesting)

3. ‘Treasure Island’ is an ………………………… story of adventure. (exciting / excited)

4. Her classes are always ………………………. (boring / bored)

Answers

1. Confused ; 2. Interested; 3. Exciting; 4. Boring