In this lesson we’re looking at using the form ADJECTIVE + TO in English.
The form ADJECTIVE + TO is used in lots of different ways in English, we’re going to learn about the most common ones in this lesson.
Have fun with the lesson, and don’t forget to try the quizzes by clicking on their links below
– James.
Lesson Contents
Some expressions that use the form ADJECTIVE + TO
Compare this pair of sentences:
Mary doesn’t write very clearly, it is difficult to understand her writing.
Mary doesn’t write very clearly, her writing is difficult to understand.
These two sentences have the same meaning, but note that we say:
She is difficult to understand.
(not “She is difficult to understand her.”)
You can use the same form with the following verbs:
cheap – dangerous – easy – exciting – expensive – good – hard – impossible – interesting – nice – safe
Is it safe to drink this water?
or
Is this water safe for us to drink?
It’s impossible to answer these questions.
or
These questions are impossible to answer.
It’s expensive to be a smoker.
or
Being a smoker is expensive.
You can also use this form with ADJECTIVE + NOUN:
This is a difficult question for me to answer.
(not “to answer it.”)
It's ADJECTIVE of you...
You can say “it + BE + ADJECTIVE of somebody to do something.”:
It was nice of you to help me yesterday.
You can use many other adjectives this way:
careless – clever – considerate – kind – mean – sensible – silly – stupid – unfair
It’s silly of you to worry so much.
It’s unfair of him to criticise us.
It was kind of him to help out.
I'm ADJECTIVE to...
You can use ADJECTIVE + TO to say how somebody reacts to something:
I’m sorry to hear that you’re sick.
I’m sad to learn that you lost your job.
I was relieved to find out that you’re ok.
You can also use many other adjectives like this:
amazed – astonished – disappointed – glad – happy – pleased – relieved – sad – surprised
Were you pleased to see me?
I was disappointed to hear the news.
She was sad to find out what happened.
The first to / The next to
You can use TO after “the first/the last/the next/the only/the second”:
If I find out any more, you’ll be the first to know.
The next train to arrive at the station is the number twelve from Glasgow.
I was the only one to dress up on halloween.
Talking about certainty
You an say that something is “sure/certain/bound/likely to happen”:
She’s a good student, she’s bound to get a degree.
I’m likely to be late for dinner.
