Disappoint

[dtommy79]

Hi,

How would you explain the difference and usage of disappoint, disappointing, and disappointed used in sentences to a learner of English?

I've found that it's the last two that causes the most problems because both are adjectives.

 

[5jj]

How would you explain the difference and usage of disappoint, disappointing, and disappointed used in sentences to a learner of English?

I've found that it's the last two that causes the most problems because both are adjectives.

The last two are examples of the difference between the (normally active in meaning) present participle (-ing form) and the (normally passive, except in perfect tense/aspect usage) past participle (third form).


A: How was the show?
B: It was disappointing. Active - It disappointed me.
C: I was disappointed. Passive - I was disappointed by it.