"Boring" vs "bored" - what's the difference?
"Boring" describes the thing causing the feeling. "Bored" describes the person feeling it. Here's the rule for -ing vs -ed adjectives.
The rule
-ing adjectives describe the thing causing the feeling.
-ed adjectives describe the person experiencing the feeling.
- The film is boring. (the film causes boredom)
- I am bored. (I feel boredom)
Never
"I am boring" - unless you mean you are a dull person who bores others. This is a very common learner error.
The same pattern applies to
- Interesting / Interested: "The topic is interesting. She is interested."
- Exciting / Excited: "The news is exciting. I am excited."
- Tiring / Tired: "The work is tiring. I am tired."
- Confusing / Confused: "The instructions are confusing. I am confused."
- Surprising / Surprised: "The result is surprising. I am surprised."
Quick test
Is it the thing or the person? Thing β -ing. Person β -ed.
Frequently asked
What's the difference between "Boring" and "bored"?
"Boring" describes the thing causing the feeling. "Bored" describes the person feeling it. Here's the rule for -ing vs -ed adjectives.
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