Participle Modifiers 1 -ed / -ing
Agent vs. Receiver
We use participle modifiers to indicate:
source (agent, cause) of feeling or emotion
receiver of feeling or emotion
Receiver -ed / Source -ing Modifiers
| RECEIVER -ED | SOURCE -ING |
|---|---|
We use the past participle, ending in -ed, to modify a noun that is the receiver of the feeling or emotion. |
We use a present participle, ending in -ing, to modify a noun that is the source (agent or cause) of the feeling or emotion. |
RECEIVER
|
SOURCE
|
The family was entertained by the clown. |
The clown was entertaining the family. |
The family was entertained. |
The clown was entertaining. |
Participle Modifier List
| RECEIVER OF THE FEELING | SOURCE OF THE FEELING | ||
|---|---|---|---|
alarmed |
frustrated |
alarming |
frustrating |
amused |
humiliated |
amusing |
humiliating |
annoyed |
interested |
annoying |
interesting |
astonished |
intrigued |
astonishing |
intriguing |
bored |
overwhelmed |
boring |
overwhelming |
compelled |
perplexed |
compelling |
perplexing |
concerned |
pleased |
concerning |
pleasing |
confused |
relaxed |
confusing |
relaxing |
embarrassed |
relieved |
embarrassing |
relieving |
encouraged |
satisfied |
encouraging |
satisfying |
energized |
shocked |
energizing |
shocking |
enlightened |
stunned |
enlightening |
stunning |
entertained |
surprised |
entertaining |
surprising |
excited |
terrified |
exciting |
terrifying |
exhausted |
tired |
exhausting |
tiring |
frightened |
frightening |
|
|


Common Mistakes
| ERROR | FIX |
|---|---|
I was surprising to see sheep walking on the road. |
I was surprised to see sheep walking on the road. |
The towers of the Golden Gate Bridge are very impressing from below. |
The towers of the Golden Gate Bridge are very impressive from below. |
We had some unexpecting visitors. We were unexpected. |
They were not expected by us. They were unexpected visitors She was expecting. (a baby) The baby was expected in June.
|
Participle Modifiers
-ed (receiver) / -ing (source)
Receiver vs. Source
| PAST PARTICIPIAL MODIFIER -ED | PRESENT PARTICIPIAL MODIFIER -ING |
|---|---|
The past participle modifies the noun that is the the receiver of the feeling or emotion. |
The present participle modifies the noun that is the source of the feeling or emotion. |
The child receives the feeling of amusement. |
The ride causes amusement. |
Interested people can sign
up for the 2-day class. |
Interesting people will will
speak during the 2-day class. |
Bored speakers should find something exciting to say. |
Boring speakers put their attendees to sleep. |
Amused viewers enjoy the short films. |
Amusing short films are shown at the animated film festival. |
Overwhelmed students end up dropping a course or two . |
Overwhelming amounts of work are given to University students. |
Practice 1
Distinguishing Source – Receiver
Select the word that best completes the sentence
- Select your response from the list.
- Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check" button to the right.
Practice 2
Reviews of Cirque du Soleil (a performance)
Correct or Incorrect?
- Select the option: correct or incorrect.
- Read the feedback to check your response.
tripadvisor.com. KA - Cirque du Soleil. 2011. Web. Jun 2011.
Practice3
Editing
Impressions
- Write your corrections for the sentence in the text area
- Then compare your response to the answer with the "check" button.



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