Active and Passive Uses of Participles

Active and Passive Uses of Participles

When –ing forms are used like adjectives or adverbs, they have similar meanings to active verbs.

Running water = water that runs
Rolling stone = a stone that rolls
Falling leaves = leaves that fall

When past participles are used like adjectives or adverbs, they have passive meanings.

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A broken heart = a heart that has been broken
A burnt child = a child that has been burnt

Difference between interested and interesting

The past participles interested, excited, bored etc., are used to say how people feel.

Are you interested in politics? (NOT Are you interesting in politics?)
I got terribly excited when I heard the news. (NOT I got terribly exciting when I heard the news.)

The present participles interesting, boring, exciting etc., are used to describe the people or things that cause these feelings.

The show was very interesting. (NOT The show was very interested.)
Boring teachers make bored students.

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