Mastering the Adjective + Infinitive Structure: A Comprehensive Guide

In English grammar, the combination of adjectives with infinitives creates powerful and nuanced expressions that can enhance your writing and speaking skills. This structure is essential for expressing opinions, feelings, and describing capabilities. Whether you're learning English as a second language or looking to refine your grammar knowledge, understanding the adjective + infinitive pattern will significantly improve your linguistic precision.

What Is the Adjective + Infinitive Structure?

An adjective + infinitive structure is a grammatical pattern where an adjective is followed by a to-infinitive verb form to create a more complete and meaningful expression. The infinitive verb serves as a complement to the adjective, providing context or explanation for the adjective's meaning.

The basic formula is:

Subject + be verb + adjective + to-infinitive

For example:

• She was happy to meet her favorite author.
• I am ready to begin the project.
• They were surprised to hear the news.

In these examples, the infinitive phrases "to meet," "to begin," and "to hear" complete the meaning of the adjectives "happy," "ready," and "surprised."

Common Patterns of Adjective + Infinitive Structures

The adjective + infinitive structure appears in several different patterns in English. Understanding these variations will help you use this grammar point correctly and effectively.

1. Subject + Be + Adjective + To-infinitive

This is the most straightforward pattern, where the subject of the sentence experiences the feeling or quality described by the adjective.

Examples:

• The children were excited to see the circus.
• She is determined to succeed in her new career.
• We are delighted to announce our engagement.

2. It + Be + Adjective + To-infinitive

This impersonal construction is used to express general opinions or facts without specifying who has the opinion.

Examples:

• It is difficult to understand quantum physics.
• It was impossible to hear with all that noise.
• It's easy to make this recipe.

3. It + Be + Adjective + For/Of + Noun/Pronoun + To-infinitive

This structure allows us to specify who experiences the quality described by the adjective.

With "for":

• It is difficult for beginners to master this technique.
• It was important for everyone to arrive on time.

With "of":

• It was kind of you to help with the moving.
• It's foolish of him to spend all his savings.

4. Noun + Be + Adjective + To-infinitive

In this pattern, the noun is either the doer of the action expressed by the infinitive or the object of that action.

When the noun is the doer:

• The boy was afraid to jump into the water.
• She was reluctant to share her research findings.

When the noun is the object:

• This book is interesting to read. (People read the book)
• The puzzle was difficult to solve. (People solve the puzzle)

Most Common Adjectives Used with Infinitives

Certain adjectives are frequently paired with infinitives in English. Learning these combinations will help you speak more naturally. Here are some of the most common adjectives followed by infinitives:

Expressing Capability or Readiness

• able/unable to work
• ready to start
• prepared to leave
• willing/unwilling to compromise

Expressing Emotions or Reactions

• happy to help
• sad to hear
• surprised to learn
• shocked to discover
• delighted to meet
• pleased to announce
• proud to represent
• sorry to inform
• amazed to find

Expressing Likelihood or Certainty

• likely/unlikely to happen
• certain to win
• bound to succeed
• sure to impress

Expressing Eagerness or Hesitation

• eager to begin
• anxious to start
• hesitant to speak
• reluctant to share
• afraid to try

Expressing Judgment or Assessment

• good/bad to eat
• right/wrong to tell
• wise/foolish to invest
• clever to notice
• silly to worry

Adjective + Infinitive vs. Adjective + Gerund

While many adjectives can be followed by infinitives, some can also be followed by gerunds (verb + -ing form). Understanding the difference between these constructions is crucial for precise communication.

When to Use Infinitives after Adjectives

Infinitives often express:

• Potential or future actions
• Single, specific actions
• Abstract or hypothetical situations

Examples:

• She was happy to receive the award. (specific event)
• I'm eager to start my new job. (future action)
• It's difficult to understand this concept. (general statement)

When to Use Gerunds after Adjectives

Gerunds typically express:

• Ongoing or repeated actions
• Actual experiences rather than potential ones
• Concrete activities

Examples:

• She's good at swimming. (general ability)
• He's fond of reading historical novels. (ongoing habit)
• They're tired of waiting for the bus. (continuous action)

Key Differences Illustrated

Compare these pairs:

• "She was afraid to jump" (she hasn't jumped yet)

• "She was afraid of jumping" (the act of jumping itself frightens her)

• "I'm interested to learn more about this topic" (future desire)

• "I'm interested in learning more about this topic" (general interest)

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When using adjective + infinitive structures, non-native speakers often make certain mistakes. Being aware of these can help you avoid them.

Mistake 1: Using a Gerund Instead of an Infinitive

Incorrect: ❌ She was happy seeing her friends. Correct: ✓ She was happy to see her friends.

Mistake 2: Omitting "To" in the Infinitive

Incorrect: ❌ They are ready go now. Correct: ✓ They are ready to go now.

Mistake 3: Using the Wrong Preposition

Incorrect: ❌ It was kind from you to help. Correct: ✓ It was kind of you to help.

Incorrect: ❌ It was difficult of me to understand. Correct: ✓ It was difficult for me to understand.

Mistake 4: Incorrect Word Order

Incorrect: ❌ It to understand is difficult. Correct: ✓ It is difficult to understand.

Practical Examples in Different Contexts

Let's explore how the adjective + infinitive structure works in various contexts to help you use it naturally.

In Everyday Conversation

• "I'm happy to meet you."
• "Are you ready to order?"
• "She's afraid to fly in small planes."
• "We're excited to announce our engagement."

In Academic Writing

• "Researchers were surprised to discover this correlation."
• "It is necessary to consider multiple variables."
• "Students are required to submit their assignments by Friday."
• "The committee was reluctant to approve the proposal without further evidence."

In Business Communication

• "We are pleased to inform you that your application has been accepted."
• "The company is eager to collaborate with international partners."
• "Management is determined to improve working conditions."
• "Investors were hesitant to commit additional funding."

In Literary and Creative Writing

• "The protagonist was desperate to escape his mundane existence."
• "She was anxious to please her demanding mother."
• "The child was delighted to discover a hidden treasure."
• "He was ashamed to admit his fear of the dark."

Enhancing Your Writing with Adjective + Infinitive Structures

The adjective + infinitive structure can add sophistication and clarity to your writing. Here are some tips for using this structure effectively:

Tip 1: Use It to Express Purpose or Intention

Instead of writing: "She studied hard because she wanted good grades." Try: "She was determined to achieve good grades."

Tip 2: Create Economical Sentences

Instead of writing: "It takes a lot of effort when you try to learn a new language." Try: "A new language is difficult to learn."

Tip 3: Express Emotions More Vividly

Instead of writing: "I felt very happy when I heard the news." Try: "I was thrilled to hear the news."

Tip 4: Add Formality When Needed

Instead of writing: "We want to thank you for your help." Try: "We are pleased to thank you for your assistance."

Conclusion

Mastering the adjective + infinitive structure allows for more precise and nuanced expression in English. From expressing emotions to evaluating situations, this grammatical pattern serves multiple purposes in both spoken and written communication. By familiarizing yourself with the different patterns and commonly used adjectives, you can enhance your language skills and communicate with greater clarity and sophistication.

Remember that like many aspects of English grammar, becoming comfortable with adjective + infinitive structures requires practice. Try to notice these patterns in your reading and listening, and gradually incorporate them into your own speech and writing. With time and attention, they will become a natural part of your English language repertoire.

Practice Exercises

To solidify your understanding, try completing these sentences with appropriate adjectives and infinitives:

1. After the long hike, they were _______ _______ at the cabin.
2. She is _______ _______ her new position next month.
3. We were _______ _______ that our flight had been cancelled.
4. It is _______ _______ a second language as an adult.
5. The company is _______ _______ its market share this year.

By actively using these structures in your own writing and speaking, you'll gain confidence and fluency with this important aspect of English grammar.