Grammar

2.68 describing an effect

One group of '-ing' adjectives describes the effect that something has on your feelings and ideas, or on the feelings and ideas of people in general.

...an alarming increase in racial hostility.
A surprising number of men stay bachelors.
...a charming house on the outskirts of the town.
...a warm welcoming smile.

2.69

These adjectives are normally qualitative adjectives. This means that they can be used with a submodifier, and have comparatives and superlatives.

...a very convincing example.
There is nothing very surprising in this.
... a very exciting idea.
... a really pleasing evening at the theatre.
When Bernard moans he's much more convincing.
...one of the most boring books I've ever read.

2.70

They can be used in attributive or predicative position.

They can still show amazing loyalty to their parents.
It's amazing what they can do.
...the most terrifying tale ever written.
The present situation is terrifying.

2.71

These '-ing' adjectives have a related transitive verb which you use to describe the way someone is affected by something. For example, if you speak of 'an alarming increase', you mean that the increase alarms you. If you speak of 'a surprising number', you mean that the number surprises you.

Here is a list of '-ing' adjectives that describe an effect and which have a similar meaning to the usual meaning of the related verb:

alarming, amazing, amusing, annoying, appalling, astonishing, astounding, bewildering, boring, challenging, charming, compelling, confusing, convincing, demeaning, depressing, devastating, disappointing, disgusting, distracting, distressing, disturbing, embarrassing, enchanting, encouraging, entertaining, exciting, frightening, harassing, humiliating, infuriating, inspiring, interesting, intimidating, intriguing, menacing, misleading, mocking, overwhelming, pleasing, refreshing, relaxing, rewarding, satisfying, shocking, sickening, startling, surprising, tempting, terrifying, threatening, thrilling, tiring, welcoming, worrying

Transitive verbs are explained in paragraphs 3.15 to 3.26.