Page 183 - Advanced English Grammar in Use

A d j e c t i v e s + t h a t - c l a u s e o r t o - i n f i n i t i v e

When an adjective follows a linking verb (see Unit 26) with a personal subject (rather than
'It...'; see D below) we can put a number of things after the adjective, including:
adjective + examples

that-clause (to talk about someone's feeling afraid, alarmed, amazed, angry, annoyed,
or opinion, or about how sure we are of ashamed, astonished, aware, concerned,
something) delighted, disappointed, glad, (un)happy,
• He became worried (that) she might leap pleased, shocked, sorry, upset, worried;
out from behind a door. certain, confident, positive, sure (with the
• She felt certain (that) she'd seen him exception of aware and confident these can
before. also be followed by a to-infinitive)
to-infinitive (un)able, careful, crazy, curious, difficult,
• You're free to leave at any time you want. easy, free, good, hard, impossible, inclined,
• They're very easy to please. nice, prepared, readv, welcome, willing
-ing form busy, worth (these can't be followed by a
• He was busy doing his homework. that-clause or to-infinitive)

Most of the adjectives listed as being followed by a to-infinitive can't be followed by a that-clause.
However, for the adjectives underlined above we can use adjective + to-infinitive + that-clause:
O • She was ready to admit (that) I was right.
• • They were prepared to accept that my idea was a good one.

, D Sometimes we can use adjective + preposition + -ing form (see Unit 86B) or adjective + to-
infinitive with little difference in meaning:
• He wasn't ashamed of asking for more money. or ...ashamed to ask for more money.
However, in some cases there is a difference. Compare:
• I'm sorry to disturb you. (= I'm disturbing you now) and
• I'm sorry for disturbing you. (= I disturbed you earlier)

It + linking verb + adjective
We can often avoid beginning a sentence with a that-clause or a to-infinitive, by using It...:
• It became clear that I wasn't welcome, [rather than That I wasn't welcome was clear.)
• It is essential to get there early, [rather than To get there early is essential.)
Notice that we can put of + subject or for + subject between the adjective and a to-infinitive:
• It was generous of her to take on the job. (or She was generous to take on the job.)
• It seemed difficult for him to walk.
Other adjectives which take of + subject in this pattern include careless, greedy, kind, nice, silly,
wrong. Those which take for + subject include easy, essential, hard, important, impossible,
necessary, unacceptable, vital.
We can also use it + adjective after verbs such as believe, consider, feel, find, think before a that-
clause or to-infinitive:
• I thought it dreadful that Liz was asked to resign.
• They consider it wrong to smoke in public places.

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