Eva Easton

Authentic American Pronunciation

interesting … interested = 5 ways

I wonder how an American pronounces…

interesting … interested
/ˈɪn-tri-stɪŋ/ … /ˈɪn-trɪ-stɪd/

 

Well, actually, it’s a bit more
complicated than just these 2 words.

There are 5 ways we use
these words in a sentence.

1.  verb:  to interest

2.  adjective:  interesting
(present participle of verb)

3.  adjective:  interested
(past participle of verb)

4.  noun:  interest

5.  adverb:  interestingly

 

 1.  verb:  to interest someone

What interests you?
My work really interests me.

It interested me that Morris West studied
religion in college, but ended up becoming a writer.
Religion interested him throughout his life.

 

2.  adjective:  interesting

verb + interesting

What is interesting to you?
This trip looks interesting, no?
It seems interesting.
Your plans sound interesting.
It’s becoming interesting.
It’s really getting interesting.
I find this whole thing interesting.

interesting + noun

The monkeys are finding lots
of interesting things to do.

 

3.  adjective:  interested (in)

verb + interested (in)

I’d be interested in hearing what you think.
You appear interested in our plans.
You look interested,  no?
You seem interested in our plans.
You sounded interested the last time we talked.
When did you become interested?
When did you get interested?
It’s my job to keep you interested in our plan.



4a.  abstract noun:  an interest

You showed an interest in our work.
Yes, your project caught my interest.
I hope you don’t lose interest.
It’s in my best interest to stay involved.

 

4b.  interest = money

If you borrow money, for example, for a mortgage,
you pay the bank interest on your loan.

If you save money and put it into a
savings account, the bank pays you interest.

 

5.  adverb:  interestingly …
interestingly enough

This phrase is a way of saying that you’re going
to make an interesting comment that is only
loosely related to what you have already said.

 

And now it’s your turn.
Which word fits in each blank?

1. The sales clerk tried to ________ me in buying a more expensive computer.
2. People who are learning a language are often ________ in finding a language exchange partner.  The internet has some really good sites for finding one.
3. These days you don't earn a lot of ________ on money in a savings or checking account.
4. He found my plan ________ , but not _________ enough to include in his project.
5. Art museums don't really ________ me.
6. How ________ !  Can I take a look at what you're doing?
7. When he was a boy, the only thing he was _________ in was playing baseball with the kids on the block.
8. When things are too easy, you can lose _________ in them.  It's fun to have a challenge.
9.  What an ________ idea!
10. It _________ me to learn that you had once lived in Indiana.  I lived there many years, too.
11. What ________ you in joining our group?  We're always looking for new members, but especially people with your skills.
12. My family thinks it's in my best ________ to move to a large city, where I can find a better job.
13. One of her many ________ is music.
14. I would be ________ in hearing your opinion..
15. The audience got bored.  The speaker was never able to hold their _________.
16. If you don't want to go, just tell him you are not ________ .
17. I hear that you are _________ in improving your English.
18. Have you ever walked across the Brooklyn Bridge?  It has such an _________ history.
19. Oh, you're moving to Indiana.   ________, I lived there, too...for 12 years.
20. We're not really ________ in going away for the weekend...too long a drive.  We just want to stay home.