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Johnny
"ing" vs "ed" adjectives Here's the sentence: Let the fans who study every play have the coveted seats behind first base. The difference between these two kinds of adjectives is that one describes how a thing/person makes me feel and the other describes how I feel. But how is this phrase "coveted/desired seat" correct if it's the seat that makes me feel coveted/desired? Shouldn't it be the coveting seats?

Answers · 2

3
You have the grammar points wrong. It is not an adjective. Its a verb. This is a case of active vs passive voice The seats are coveted BY people. (passive voice) The people covet the seats. (active voice) In this situation, you cannot feel coveted/desired by the seats. You covet or desire the seats. This is different than, for example, bored/boring, excited/exciting.
0
I think you're relying on a simple lower-level explanation of ed/ing, and that causes your confusion. It's time for some nuance. :D I agree with Professor D in that you can read "coveted seats" as a version of the passive "the seats that are coveted (by...)" People can covet things, but inanimate objects can't covet people. If you feel coveted or desired, that means another person is doing the action. Check the actual verb in situations like this - it's not always a two-way street. "Coveted" is a past participle here, which means it can go in perfect tenses, passive forms AND work as an adjective. It's pretty flexible. I'm sure you've noticed all the ed/ing "adjectives" come from verbs?

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