Adjectives
Bored and boring, sensible and sensitive: how you feel against what caused it.
bored vs boring
Bored is the feeling inside a person; boring is the quality of the thing that causes that feeling.
how a person feels when uninterested
The students were so bored that they started drawing in their notebooks.
something that is not interesting
That three-hour meeting was the most boring event of my entire week.
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I didn't finish the movie because I was very boring.
I didn't finish the movie because I was very bored.
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The lecture was so bored that half the class fell asleep.
The lecture was so boring that half the class fell asleep.
Remember Bored = The Person. Boring = The Problem.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
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I get whenever I have to wait for the bus without my phone.
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He stopped reading the book because the main character was too .
interested vs interesting
Interested describes the person who feels the emotion, while interesting describes the thing that causes the emotion.
the person feeling the emotion
She is very interested in learning more about ancient history.
the thing causing the emotion
The documentary provided an interesting perspective on the global economy.
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I am very interesting in this new job opportunity.
I am very interested in this new job opportunity.
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The lecture was very interested and the students paid attention.
The lecture was very interesting and the students paid attention.
Remember -ed is how I feel; -ing is the thing.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
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Are you in joining us for dinner this evening?
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It is that the two results are so different.
excited vs exciting
Excited is the internal feeling a person has, while exciting is the external quality that causes that feeling.
feeling eager or enthusiastic
The children are so excited about the trip to the zoo tomorrow morning.
causing feelings of interest or enthusiasm
Living in a new city is an exciting experience for most young professionals.
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I am very exciting to start my new job next Monday.
I am very excited to start my new job next Monday.
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The movie was so excited that I couldn't look away from the screen.
The movie was so exciting that I couldn't look away from the screen.
Remember -ed = I feel; -ing = It is.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
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She felt when she received the invitation to the international conference.
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The final minutes of the championship game were incredibly for the fans.
tired vs tiring
Tired describes the person feeling the fatigue, while tiring describes the activity that causes it.
causing exhaustion or fatigue
Hiking up the mountain proved to be a tiring ordeal for the beginners.
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I worked for twelve hours today and now I am very tiring.
I worked for twelve hours today and now I am very tired.
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The marathon was very tired for all of the runners.
The marathon was very tiring for all of the runners.
Remember Tired is how I feel; tiring is the job's appeal.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
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She was too to cook dinner after working a double shift.
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Correcting hundreds of student essays is a repetitive and task.
surprised vs surprising
Surprised is the feeling a person has; surprising is the quality of the thing that caused it.
how someone feels when something unexpected happens
She was surprised to see her old friend standing at the front door.
a thing or event that causes wonder
It is surprising that the team lost after leading for the whole game.
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I was very surprising when I heard the news.
I was very surprised when I heard the news.
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The results of the test were quite surprised.
The results of the test were quite surprising.
Remember -ed = I feel it. -ing = It is that way.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
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We were by the sudden change in the weather this morning.
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The most part of the movie was the ending no one expected.
confused vs confusing
Confused describes the person feeling the emotion, while confusing describes the thing causing that feeling.
something that is hard to understand
The instructions for this IKEA desk are incredibly confusing and lack clear diagrams.
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I am confusing about which bus I need to take to the airport.
I am confused about which bus I need to take to the airport.
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The lecture was very confused and nobody took any notes.
The lecture was very confusing and nobody took any notes.
Remember -ed = how I feel; -ing = what it is.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
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She looked when the waiter started speaking in a different language.
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It is when the traffic lights flash yellow for no apparent reason.
frightened vs frightening
Frightened describes the person feeling the emotion, while frightening describes the thing that causes the emotion.
feeling fear or anxiety
The small child was frightened by the loud thunder during the storm.
causing fear or terror
Walking home alone at midnight can be a frightening experience for anyone.
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I didn't want to watch the horror movie because I was frightening.
I didn't want to watch the horror movie because I was frightened.
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The sudden noise from the basement was very frightened.
The sudden noise from the basement was very frightening.
Remember Frightened = Feeling; Frightening = Feature.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
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She felt when she realized she was lost in the dark woods.
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The movie featured a monster that lived under the stairs.
embarrassed vs embarrassing
Embarrassed is the internal feeling of shame; embarrassing is the external quality that causes it.
feeling self-conscious or ashamed
He felt deeply embarrassed when he realized his shirt was on backward.
causing a feeling of shame
It was an embarrassing mistake that cost the company a lot of money.
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I was so embarrassing when I spilled my coffee on the boss.
I was so embarrassed when I spilled my coffee on the boss.
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The silence in the room was very embarrassed for everyone.
The silence in the room was very embarrassing for everyone.
Remember Embarrassed = How I feel. Embarrassing = Why I feel it.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
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She was too to admit she had forgotten his name.
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Tripping on stage was the most moment of my entire life.
annoyed vs annoying
Annoyed describes the person feeling the emotion, while annoying describes the thing or person causing it.
feeling bothered or irritated by something
She was visibly annoyed when the meeting started twenty minutes late.
causing irritation or nuisance to others
The constant dripping of the kitchen faucet is becoming very annoying.
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I was very annoying because the train was delayed again.
I was very annoyed because the train was delayed again.
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That loud music next door is so annoyed I cannot sleep.
That loud music next door is so annoying I cannot sleep.
Remember -ed is how I feel; -ing is the thing.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
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He gets if you interrupt him while he is reading the news.
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It is to realize I left my keys at the office again.
alone vs lonely
Alone is the physical state of being by yourself; lonely is the emotional pain of feeling disconnected.
Physically by yourself, without others present.
She prefers to study alone in the library where it is quiet.
Sadness caused by a lack of company.
Moving to a new city made him feel lonely for the first month.
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I felt very alone after all my friends moved away to college.
I felt very lonely after all my friends moved away to college.
Remember Alone is a count of people; lonely is a feeling in the heart.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
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The pilot flew the small plane across the entire Atlantic Ocean.
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You can feel even when you are standing in a crowded room.
asleep vs sleepy
Asleep describes the state of being in slumber, while sleepy describes the physical urge or desire to begin sleeping.
currently in a state of slumber
The baby was finally asleep after hours of crying in the nursery.
feeling tired or ready for bed
I always feel sleepy after eating a heavy lunch in the afternoon.
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Don't wake him up while he is sleepy in his bed.
Don't wake him up while he is asleep in his bed.
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I am very asleep because I stayed up late last night.
I am very sleepy because I stayed up late last night.
Remember Asleep is the destination; sleepy is the journey there.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
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He fell fast on the sofa while the movie was still playing.
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The children were getting , so we started their bedtime routine early.
awake vs waking
Awake describes a state of consciousness, while waking describes the transition out of sleep or the time spent conscious.
conscious and not currently sleeping
The baby was wide awake and ready to play at three in the morning.
the act of regaining consciousness
The sudden sound of the alarm was waking everyone in the house.
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I have been waking for two hours already.
I have been awake for two hours already.
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The loud thunder was awake me in the middle of the night.
The loud thunder was waking me in the middle of the night.
Remember Awake is the state; waking is the change.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
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I stayed all night finishing the final report for my manager.
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He spends every hour thinking about how to improve his business.
sensible vs sensitive
Sensible describes a person's logic and judgment, while sensitive describes their emotional or physical responsiveness.
showing good judgment and practical wisdom
It would be sensible to check the weather forecast before booking the flight.
easily affected by emotions or physical stimuli
He is very sensitive to criticism and takes every comment to heart.
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It is not very sensitive to drive home in this heavy snowstorm.
It is not very sensible to drive home in this heavy snowstorm.
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The film is a sensible portrayal of a young girl's first heartbreak.
The film is a sensitive portrayal of a young girl's first heartbreak.
Remember Sensible = Sense. Sensitive = Sentiments.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
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She made a decision to save her bonus instead of spending it.
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Apply a high-factor sunscreen if you have skin that burns easily.
economic vs economical
Economic describes the system of trade and finance, while economical describes saving money or resources.
Relating to a country's financial system.
The government is implementing new economic policies to reduce the national debt.
Using money or time efficiently.
Buying a smaller car is much more economical for a daily city commute.
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The country is facing a severe economical crisis this year.
The country is facing a severe economic crisis this year.
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It is more economic to buy the bulk pack of laundry detergent.
It is more economical to buy the bulk pack of laundry detergent.
Remember Economic = The Economy. Economical = Efficient.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
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Global growth has slowed down significantly over the last two fiscal quarters.
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This new heating system is highly and will lower your monthly utility bills.
historic vs historical
Historic describes something famous or important in history, while historical describes anything related to the past.
Famous or important in history.
The two nations signed a historic peace treaty to end the long war.
Relating to the past.
The library contains many historical documents from the nineteenth century.
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Winning the championship for the first time was a historical moment for the city.
Winning the championship for the first time was a historic moment for the city.
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The professor published a paper on historic trends in European migration.
The professor published a paper on historical trends in European migration.
Remember Historic = Famous. Historical = Related to history.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
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We stood on the balcony where the speech was first delivered.
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She enjoys reading fiction set during the French Revolution.
classic vs classical
Classic describes a high-quality or typical example, while classical relates to traditional styles or ancient history.
A perfect or typical example.
The designer paired a classic white shirt with modern trousers for the show.
Relating to ancient culture or tradition.
She studied classical architecture to understand the foundations of modern building design.
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The car broke down in a classical case of engine overheating.
The car broke down in a classic case of engine overheating.
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He prefers listening to classic music while he studies in the library.
He prefers listening to classical music while he studies in the library.
Remember Classic = Classy example. Classical = Classically old.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
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That movie is a example of nineties cinema and remains very popular.
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The orchestra will perform several pieces during the summer festival.
comprehensive vs comprehensible
Comprehensive covers everything in a set; comprehensible is simply easy to understand.
Including all necessary facts or details.
The insurance policy offers comprehensive coverage for all types of accidental damage.
Able to be understood; intelligible.
His accent was thick, but his speech was still comprehensible to the audience.
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The textbook provides a comprehensible overview of European history from 1800.
The textbook provides a comprehensive overview of European history from 1800.
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The legal jargon in this contract is not very comprehensive.
The legal jargon in this contract is not very comprehensible.
Remember Comprehensive = Complete. Comprehensible = Clear.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
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We need a list of every student currently enrolled in the program.
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The instructions must be to someone with no prior technical knowledge.
considerable vs considerate
Considerable describes the size or importance of a thing, while considerate describes the kindness of a person.
Large in size, amount, or importance.
The renovation project required a considerable amount of time and money to complete.
Thinking of other people's feelings.
It was very considerate of you to bring extra water for everyone.
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The company made a considerate profit during the last fiscal quarter.
The company made a considerable profit during the last fiscal quarter.
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He is a very considerable person who always helps his friends.
He is a very considerate person who always helps his friends.
Remember Considerable = Big. Considerate = Kind.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
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There is evidence suggesting that the new policy will improve productivity.
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A neighbor avoids playing loud music late at night.
confident vs confidential
Confident describes a person's self-assurance, while confidential describes information that must be kept secret.
Feeling sure of oneself or success.
She felt confident that her presentation would impress the board members.
Intended to be kept private.
Please ensure these confidential documents are locked in the safe tonight.
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He is very confidential about his ability to pass the exam.
He is very confident about his ability to pass the exam.
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The manager told me some confident information about the upcoming layoffs.
The manager told me some confidential information about the upcoming layoffs.
Remember Confident is a feeling; confidential is a secret.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
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The athlete walked onto the field with a and relaxed stride.
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The lawyer reminded his client that their conversation was strictly .
continual vs continuous
Continual describes things that happen again and again with breaks in between, while continuous describes things that never stop.
Happening frequently or repeatedly over time.
The project suffered from continual delays that pushed back the final deadline.
Forming an unbroken whole without interruption.
The eagle's flight was a continuous glide across the entire valley.
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The continuous ringing of the doorbell every few minutes woke the baby.
The continual ringing of the doorbell every few minutes woke the baby.
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The movie provides two hours of continual action from start to finish.
The movie provides two hours of continuous action from start to finish.
Remember Continual = recurring. Continuous = constant.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
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I am getting tired of your complaints about the office temperature.
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A line of cars stretched for miles down the highway.
sympathetic vs empathetic
Sympathetic means you feel pity for someone's hardship; empathetic means you actually share and understand their internal feelings.
Feeling pity or sorrow for others.
The manager was sympathetic to his staff after the long overtime shifts.
Sharing another person's emotional state.
Nurses must be empathetic to understand the pain their patients experience.
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I felt very empathetic for the victims of the earthquake on the news.
I felt very sympathetic for the victims of the earthquake on the news.
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A therapist needs to be sympathetic to help clients process deep trauma.
A therapist needs to be empathetic to help clients process deep trauma.
Remember Sympathy is feeling for; empathy is feeling with.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
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She sent a card to her neighbor following the funeral.
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He is an listener who truly feels what his friends are going through.