Understanding Adjective + Infinitive: A Complete Guide

Understanding Adjective + Infinitive: A Complete Guide

When learning English grammar, one of the subtle yet important structures is the combination of an adjective + infinitive (e.g., happy to help, difficult to understand). This construction is widely used in both spoken and written English, making it essential for fluency.

In this article, we’ll explore:
✅ What is an Adjective + Infinitive?
✅ Common Adjective + Infinitive Examples
✅ Grammar Rules & Sentence Structures
✅ Tips for Using Them Naturally

Let’s dive in!

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What Is an Adjective + Infinitive?

An adjective + infinitive structure occurs when an adjective is followed by a verb in its base form (to + verb). This pattern expresses emotions, judgments, or descriptions related to an action.

Examples:

• Happy to see you!

• It’s easy to learn.

• She was surprised to hear the news.

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Common Adjective + Infinitive Combinations

Here’s a list of frequently used adjectives that pair with infinitives:

Adjective	Example with Infinitive
Happy	I’m happy to help.
Difficult	This problem is difficult to solve.
Ready	We’re ready to start.
Afraid	He’s afraid to fail.
Likely	It’s likely to rain.
Important	It’s important to practice.

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Grammar Rules & Sentence Structures

1. Subject + Be + Adjective + Infinitive

This is the most common structure.

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• Correct: She is excited to travel.

• Incorrect: She is excited traveling.

2. It + Be + Adjective + Infinitive (Impersonal Structure)

Used for general statements.

• Correct: It’s hard to believe.

• Incorrect: Is hard to believe.

3. Adjective + Infinitive After Certain Verbs

Some verbs (like seem, appear, feel) often use this structure.

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• Example: He seems eager to begin.

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Tips for Using Adjective + Infinitives Naturally

✔ Memorize common pairs (e.g., glad to meet you, hard to find).
✔ Avoid gerunds (don’t say: happy helping).
✔ Practice with real-life sentences (e.g., I’m sorry to hear that).

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Final Thoughts

Mastering adjective + infinitive structures will make your English sound more natural and fluent. Whether you're writing or speaking, these combinations are essential for clear and effective communication.

📌 Pro Tip: Try writing 5 sentences using this structure today!