TOEIC Grammar: -ing and -ed Participles (interesting / interested)

Participle adjectives

Present participles (-ing) and past participles (-ed or irregular) are used as adjectives. The general rule:

• -ing = active meaning: the noun does the action or causes the feeling. an exciting offer (it excites people), the remaining seats (they remain), a growing company, rising costs, the following week, a leading manufacturer.
• -ed = passive meaning: the noun receives the action or feels the feeling. excited employees, a detailed report (it has been detailed), attached files, a revised schedule, qualified applicants, limited space, an experienced technician.

Feeling verbs are the most tested: interest, satisfy, disappoint, impress, confuse, surprise, encourage, overwhelm, frustrate. People usually feel (-ed): The clients were impressed. Things usually cause the feeling (-ing): The results were impressive/encouraging.

Reduced relative clauses

A relative clause can be shortened to a participle phrase after a noun:

• Customers who use the app → Customers using the app (active → -ing)
• Items that were purchased online → Items purchased online (passive → past participle)

Decide by the same question as for voice: does the noun do the action (-ing) or receive it (-ed)? A by phrase or the absence of an object after the blank points to -ed; an object after the blank points to -ing.

Participle clauses at the start of a sentence

A participle clause can open a sentence, and its implied subject must be the subject of the main clause.

• Having reviewed the applications, the committee selected three finalists. (the committee reviewed — active, completed first)
• Located near the airport, the hotel is popular with business travelers. (the hotel is located — passive)
• After conjunctions: When completing the form, use black ink. Once approved, the budget cannot be changed. Unless otherwise stated, prices include tax.

Quick check: (a) Please read the (enclosing / enclosed) brochure. (b) Employees (wishing / wished) to transfer should speak to HR. (c) The figures were (disappointed / disappointing). — Answers: (a) enclosed, (b) wishing, (c) disappointing.