1) When an adjective follows a linking verb with a personal subject (rather than ‘It…’) we can put a number of things after the adjective.
ç That-clause (to talk about someone’s feeling or opinion, or about how sure we are of something)
| afraid, alarmed, amazed, angry, annoyed, ashamed, astonished, aware, concerned, delighted, disappointed, glad, (un)happy, pleased, shocked, sorry, upset, worried, certain, confident, positive, sure (with the exception of aware and confident these can also be followed by a to-infinitive) |
Example:
- He became worried (that) she might leap out from behind a door.
- She felt certain (that) she’d seen him before.
ç To-infinitive
| (un)able, careful, crazy, curious, difficult, easy, free, good, hard, impossible, inclined, nice, prepared, ready, welcome, willing. |
Example:
- You’re free to leave at any time you want.
- They’re very easy to please.
ç Ing-form
| busy, worth (these can’t be followed by a that-clause or to-infinitive) |
Example: He was busy doing his homework.
NOTE: Most of the adjectives listed as being followed by a to-infinitive can’t be followed by a that-clause. However, for the adjectives underline above we can use adjective + to-infinitive + that-clause.
Example:
- She was ready to admit (that) I was right.
- They were prepared to accept that my idea was a good one.
2) Sometimes we can use adjective + preposition + ing-form or adjective + to-infinitive with little difference in meaning.
Compare:
- I’m sorry to disturb you. (= I’m disturbing you now)
- I’m sorry for disturbing you. (= I disturbed you earlier)
3) It + linking verb + adjective
We can often avoid beginning a sentence with a that-clause or a to-infinitive, by using ‘It…’
Example:
- 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.)
NOTE 1: We can put of + subject or for + subject between the adjective and a to-infinitive.
For adjectives which take of + subject include careless, greedy, kind, nice, silly, wrong, generous…
For adjectives which take for + subject include easy, essential, hard, important, impossible, necessary, unacceptable, vital, difficult…
Example:
- 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.
NOTE 2: We can also use it + adjective after verbs such as believe, consider, feel, find, think before a that-clause or to-infinitive.
Example:
- I thought it dreadful that Liz was asked to resign.
- They consider it wrong to smoke in public places.
