Entertained vs Entertaining: Which One Is The Correct One?

When it comes to choosing the right word to use, it can be a bit confusing to differentiate between “entertained” and “entertaining”. While they may seem similar, there are distinct differences between the two. In this article, we’ll explore the meaning of each word and when it’s appropriate to use them.

It’s important to note that both “entertained” and “entertaining” are proper words in the English language. However, they are used in different contexts and have different meanings.

“Entertained” is a past tense verb that means to provide someone with amusement or enjoyment. It refers to the act of being entertained by someone or something. For example, “I was entertained by the comedian’s jokes.”

“Entertaining”, on the other hand, is an adjective that describes something that is amusing, enjoyable, or interesting. It refers to the quality of being entertaining. For example, “The movie was entertaining from beginning to end.”

It’s important to note that while “entertained” refers to the act of being entertained, “entertaining” refers to the quality of the entertainment itself. This means that “entertained” is used to describe the experience of the person being entertained, while “entertaining” is used to describe the thing that is providing the entertainment.

Now that we’ve established the difference between the two words, let’s dive deeper into when it’s appropriate to use them.

Define Entertained

Entertained is an adjective that describes a state of being amused, interested, or occupied by something. When someone is entertained, they are mentally stimulated and engaged, which can lead to feelings of pleasure and enjoyment. This can be achieved through a variety of means, such as watching a movie, reading a book, attending a concert, or playing a game.

Entertainment is often used as a form of escapism, allowing individuals to temporarily forget about their problems and immerse themselves in something that brings them joy. It can also serve as a way to connect with others, whether it be through shared interests or experiences.

Define Entertaining

Entertaining, on the other hand, is a verb that describes the act of providing amusement, interest, or enjoyment to others. When someone is entertaining, they are actively engaging their audience and making an effort to keep them engaged and interested. This can be achieved through a variety of means, such as telling jokes, performing music, or hosting a party.

Entertaining is often seen as a skill or talent, as it requires a certain level of charisma, creativity, and social awareness. A good entertainer is able to read their audience and adjust their performance accordingly, ensuring that everyone is having a good time.

Entertained	Entertaining
Describes a state of being amused, interested, or occupied by something	Describes the act of providing amusement, interest, or enjoyment to others
Often used as a form of escapism	Seen as a skill or talent
Can be achieved through a variety of means, such as watching a movie, reading a book, attending a concert, or playing a game	Requires a certain level of charisma, creativity, and social awareness

Overall, while entertained and entertaining are related concepts, they refer to different things. Entertained describes a passive state of enjoyment, while entertaining describes an active effort to provide enjoyment to others. Understanding the difference between the two can help individuals better appreciate and engage with various forms of entertainment.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to writing, using the right word can make all the difference. This is especially true when it comes to words that sound similar but have different meanings, like entertained and entertaining. In this section, we will explore how to properly use these words in a sentence.

How To Use “Entertained” In A Sentence

The word “entertained” is the past tense of the verb “entertain.” It means that someone was provided with amusement or enjoyment. Here are some examples of how to use “entertained” in a sentence:

• I was entertained by the magician’s tricks.
• The children were entertained by the clown at the birthday party.
• She was entertained by the movie, despite the negative reviews.

As you can see, “entertained” is used to describe a person who is receiving amusement or enjoyment. It is always used in the past tense.

How To Use “Entertaining” In A Sentence

The word “entertaining” is an adjective that describes something that is amusing or enjoyable. It is used to describe the thing that is providing the amusement or enjoyment. Here are some examples of how to use “entertaining” in a sentence:

• The comedian’s jokes were very entertaining.
• The book was an entertaining read.
• The game was entertaining, but it wasn’t very challenging.

As you can see, “entertaining” is used to describe something that is providing amusement or enjoyment. It is always used as an adjective.

By understanding the difference between “entertaining” and “entertained,” you can use these words correctly in your writing and avoid confusion.

More Examples Of Entertained & Entertaining Used In Sentences

In order to fully understand the difference between “entertained” and “entertaining,” it’s important to see them used in context. Here are some examples of both words used in sentences:

Examples Of Using “Entertained” In A Sentence

• After a long day at work, I was too tired to be entertained by anything on TV.
• She was easily entertained by the simplest things, like a good book or a cup of tea.
• The magician entertained the audience with his amazing tricks.
• He was entertained by the idea of traveling the world and experiencing new cultures.
• My grandparents were entertained by the stories I told them about my life.
• The children were entertained by the clown’s silly antics.
• The movie was so boring that I couldn’t be entertained, no matter how hard I tried.
• She entertained the idea of quitting her job and starting her own business.
• The comedian entertained the crowd with his hilarious jokes.
• He was entertained by the thought of winning the lottery and becoming rich.

Examples Of Using “Entertaining” In A Sentence

• The party was very entertaining, with lots of music and dancing.
• The book was so entertaining that I couldn’t put it down.
• She was a very entertaining speaker, keeping the audience engaged the whole time.
• The movie was entertaining, with lots of action and suspense.
• He found the game to be very entertaining, even though he didn’t win.
• The play was very entertaining, with great acting and a compelling story.
• The comedian put on an entertaining show, making the audience laugh throughout.
• The museum had many entertaining exhibits, making it a great place to visit.
• The party games were very entertaining, with lots of laughter and fun.
• The circus was very entertaining, with acrobats, clowns, and animals.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words entertained and entertaining, many people tend to use them interchangeably. However, these two words have different meanings and should not be used in the same way. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Using “Entertained” As A Verb

One of the most common mistakes people make is using “entertained” as a verb. For example, saying “I was entertaining my guests” instead of “I was keeping my guests entertained.” The correct usage of “entertained” is as an adjective to describe a person’s state of being. Using it as a verb is grammatically incorrect and can lead to confusion.

Using “Entertaining” As An Adjective

Another mistake people make is using “entertaining” as an adjective to describe a person or thing. For example, saying “He is an entertaining person” instead of “He is a person who is entertaining.” The correct usage of “entertaining” is as a verb to describe an action. Using it as an adjective is grammatically incorrect and can lead to confusion.

Using “Entertaining” Instead Of “Engaging”

People often use “entertaining” when they mean “engaging.” While both words describe an enjoyable experience, they have different connotations. “Entertaining” implies something that is amusing or pleasurable, while “engaging” implies something that is interesting or thought-provoking. It’s important to use the correct word to accurately convey your meaning.

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes

• Always double-check the definition of the word you want to use to make sure it is the correct one.
• Use a thesaurus to find alternative words if you’re not sure which one to use.
• Read your writing out loud to see if it sounds correct and makes sense.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between “entertained” and “entertaining,” context plays a crucial role in determining which word to use. Both words have similar meanings, but their usage can vary depending on the situation and context.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “entertained” and “entertaining” might change:

Context	Example Sentence	Correct Word Choice
Personal Experience	I was entertained by the comedian’s jokes.	Entertained
Event Planning	We need to come up with some entertaining activities for the party.	Entertaining
Product Review	The movie was not very entertaining.	Entertaining
Job Description	The job of a clown is to keep the audience entertained.	Entertained

As you can see from the examples above, the choice between “entertained” and “entertaining” can depend on the specific context in which they are used. In personal experiences or job descriptions, “entertained” is typically the correct choice, while in event planning or product reviews, “entertaining” is more appropriate.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the general rule is to use “entertaining” as the present participle and “entertained” as the past participle, there are some exceptions to this rule. Here are a few cases where the rules might not apply:

1. Passive Voice

In passive voice constructions, “entertained” is used as the past participle and “being entertained” is used as the present participle. This is because the subject of the sentence is receiving the action rather than performing it. For example:

• The guests were entertained by the magician. (passive voice)
• The magician was entertaining the guests. (active voice)

2. Adjectives

While “entertaining” is primarily used as a present participle, it can also be used as an adjective to describe something that is enjoyable or amusing. For example:

• The movie was very entertaining.
• She is an entertaining speaker.

3. Idioms

There are certain idiomatic expressions where “entertained” or “entertaining” might be used in a non-standard way. For example:

• “Entertaining the idea” means considering or contemplating something. Example: I’m entertaining the idea of going back to school.
• “Entertained hopes” means having hopes or expectations. Example: She entertained hopes of becoming a famous singer.

It’s important to note that while these exceptions exist, they are not common and should be used with caution. In most cases, it’s best to stick to the general rules for using “entertaining” and “entertained.”

Practice Exercises

Improving one’s understanding and use of entertained and entertaining requires practice. Here are some exercises to help readers do just that:

Exercise 1: Choose The Correct Word

For each sentence below, choose the correct word – entertained or entertaining:

1.	The movie was so ___________ that I fell asleep.
2.	We were ___________ by the magician’s tricks.
3.	The comedian’s jokes were not very ___________.
4.	She ___________ herself by reading a good book.
5.	The amusement park was very ___________.

Answer Key:

1.	entertaining
2.	entertained
3.	entertaining
4.	entertained
5.	entertaining

Exercise 2: Fill In The Blank

Fill in the blank with the correct form of entertained or entertaining:

1. The ___________ music kept us dancing all night.
2. He ___________ the guests with his stories.
3. The movie was not very ___________.
4. She ___________ herself by playing video games.
5. The party was so ___________ that we didn’t want to leave.

Answer Key:

1. entertaining
2. entertained
3. entertaining
4. entertained
5. entertaining

By practicing with exercises like these, readers can improve their understanding and use of entertained and entertaining in everyday conversation and writing.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between “entertained” and “entertaining,” it is clear that these words are not interchangeable. “Entertained” is a passive state of being, while “entertaining” is an active form of engaging with others.

It is important to understand the nuances of language use, as it can greatly impact the effectiveness of communication. Whether you are a writer, speaker, or simply a communicator, being mindful of the words you choose can make a significant difference in how your message is received.

Key Takeaways:

• “Entertained” is a passive state of being, while “entertaining” is an active form of engaging with others.
• Using the correct word can greatly impact the effectiveness of communication.
• Being mindful of language use can make a significant difference in how your message is received.

As you continue to learn about grammar and language use, remember to pay attention to the details. A strong command of language can help you communicate effectively and confidently in any situation.