Adjective + TO-infinitive
There are various structures with adjectives and the to-infinitive:
IT + linking verb + adjective + TO-infinitive
It was difficult to answer the question.
It would seem awkward to call her again.
Noun + linking verb + adjective + TO-infinitive
Here the noun is the object of the infinitive:
The question was difficult to answer.
A good translator is hard to find.
IT + linking verb + adjective + noun + TO-infinitive
It was a difficult question to answer.
It's a big house to clean.
IT + linking verb + adjective + FOR something/somebody + TO-infinitive
It looked impossible for me to finish on time.
It is necessary for this door to be locked.
IT + linking verb + adjective + OF somebody + TO-infinitive
It is very kind of you to come with me to the embassy.
It was stupid of him to press the emergency button.
TOO, ENOUGH + TO-infinitive
Too comes before an adjective or adverb. Enough follows an adjective or adverb but comes before a noun:
It was too difficult (for me) to answer the question.
The question was too difficult to answer.
It was too difficult a question to answer.
It was a difficult enough question to answer even for a native speaker.
Manuela got to the station too late to catch the train.
Manuela did not get to the station early enough to catch the train.
I didn't have enough money to buy that beautiful sweater.
Noun + linking verb + adjective + TO-infinitive
Here the noun is the doer of the action expressed by the infinitive:
The little boy was afraid to jump.
He was ashamed to speak to her again.
We were happy to see you.
I am glad to have helped you.
Our company is pleased to offer you a job as a financial risk manager.
I am proud to announce this year's winner.
Aren't you sad to hear that?
I'm sorry to disturb you.
Adjectives followed by the to-infinitive | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
afraid amazed anxious ashamed bound careful |
certain content delighted determined eager eligible |
fortunate glad happy hesitant liable likely |
lucky pleased proud ready reluctant sad |
shocked sorry surprised |