Both present and past participles may be used as adjectives. The present participle always ends in -ing. Past participles usually end in -ed, -d, -en, -n, or -t.
| present participles | confusing, speaking, boring |
| past participles | confused, spoken, bored |
Like all other adjectives, participles can come before nouns; they also can follow linking verbs, in which case they describe the subject of the sentence.
Use a present participle to describe a person or thing causing or stimulating an experience.
The boring lecture put us to sleep. [The lecture caused boredom.]
Use a past participle to describe a person or thing undergoing an experience.
The audience was bored. [The audience experienced boredom.]
Participles that describe emotions or mental states often cause the most confusion.
| annoying/annoyed | exhausting/exhausted |
| boring/bored | fascinating/fascinated |
| confusing/confused | frightening/frightened |
| depressing/depressed | satisfying/satisfied |
| exciting/excited | surprising/surprised |