Grammar: Groups and phrases: Adjective group
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Structure of the adjective group | ![]() |
Adjective + clause
An adjective can be followed by different types of clauses:
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adjective + that-clause |
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adjective + to-clause |
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adjective + wh- clause |
Adjective + that-clause
Sometimes an adjective is followed by a 'that-clause'. This
is another way of extending the adjective to form an adjective group:
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Here are some adjectives that commonly take a that-clause. Note that most of them are 'feeling' adjectives.
afraid that ... | amazed that ... |
angry that ... | annoyed that ... |
aware that ... | certain that ... |
confident that ... | glad that ... |
happy that ... | lucky that ... |
nervous that ... | pleased that ... |
positive that | sure that ... |
sad that ... | sorry that ... |
surprised that ... | worried that ... |
It is also common to use a that-clause after 'so + adjective':
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Adjective + to-clause
Sometimes an adjective can also be followed by a 'to-clause':
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Here are some adjectives that are commonly followed by a to-clause.
able to |
determined to | good to | pleased to |
about to |
difficult to | happy to | proud to |
afraid to |
disappointed to | hard to | ready to |
amused to |
eager to | heavy to | sad to |
angry to |
easy to | impossible to | safe to |
anxious to |
enjoyable to | interesting to | scared to |
ashamed to |
exciting to | keen to | silly to |
boring to |
expensive to | likely to | sorry to |
careful to |
free to | lovely to | sure to |
cheap to |
frightened to | lucky to | surprised to |
delighted to |
glad to | nice to | willing to |
It is also common to use a to-clause after 'too + adjective':
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Adjective + wh- clause
Sometimes an adjective is followed by a 'wh- clause'. These are not very common, however.
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Here are some adjectives that are commonly followed by a wh- clause.
unsure how/whether ... | worried what ... |
uncertain how/whether ... | curious whether ... |
To read the full text of Granny Gong and the GrumpyGhost, click here
Tell me more ... Adjective + adverb of degree |
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