Some adjectives, like ‘bored’ and ‘boring’, have two versions. (These are actually participles used as adjectives.) These adjectives are used in a slightly different way from normal adjectives. We usually use the adjective with ‘ed’ (originally the past participle) to talk about how someone feels.

• I was really bored during the flight (NOT: I was really boring during the flight).
• She’s interested in history (NOT: She’s really interesting in history).
• John is excited about his trip. (NOT: John is exciting about his trip.)

We usually use the adjective with ‘ing’ (originally the present participle) to talk about the person, thing, or situation that has caused the feeling.

• It was such a long, boring flight (so I was bored).
• I read a really interesting book about history (so I was interested).
• Going on a trip is exciting (so John is excited).

Make sure you don’t use the adjective that ends with ‘ing’ to talk about how you feel!

• NOT: I am boring. (This means that other people find you boring, not that you feel bored!)

At this level of English, you should know:

• Bored / boring
• Excited / exciting
• Interested / interesting