English Grammar in Use With Answers » Unit 65: Adjective + to ...

Difficult to understand etc.

Compare sentences (a) and (b):
  • James doesn't speak very clearly.
    (a) It is difficult to understand him.
    (b) He is difficult to understand.

Sentences (a) and (b) have the same meaning. Note that we say:
  • He is difficult to understand. (not He is difficult to understand him.)

You can use the same structures with:

  • easy
  • nice
  • safe
  • cheap
  • exciting
  • impossible
  • hard
  • good
  • dangerous
  • expensive
  • interesting

  • Do you think it is safe (for us) to drink this water?
    Do you think this water is safe (for us) to drink? (not to drink it)
  • The questions in the exam were very difficult. It was impossible to answer them.
    The questions in the exam were very difficult. They were impossible to answer.
    (not to answer them)
  • Nicola has lots of interesting ideas. It's interesting to talk to her.
    Nicola is interesting to talk to. (not to talk to her.)

You can also use this structure with adjective + noun:
  • This is a difficult question (for me) to answer. (not to answer it)

Nice of (you) to ...

You can say 'It's nice of somebody to do something':
  • It was nice of you to take me to the airport. Thank you very much.

You can use many other adjectives in this way. For example:
  • kind
  • (in)considerate
  • generous
  • mean
  • careless
  • silly
  • stupid
  • unfair

  • It's silly of Ruth to give up her job when she needs the money.
  • I think it was unfair of him to criticise me.

Sorry to ... / surprised to ... etc.

You can use adjective + to ... to say how somebody reacts to something:
  • I'm sorry to hear that your mother isn't well.

You can use many other adjectives in this way. For example:
  • glad
  • pleased
  • relieved
  • surprised
  • amazed
  • sad
  • disappointed

  • Was Julia surprised to see you?
  • It was a long and tiring journey. We were glad to get home.

The first / the next (etc.) + to ...

You can use to ... after the first/second/third etc., and also after the last / the next / the only ... :
  • If I have any more news, you will be the first (person) to know.
  • The next train to arrive at platform 4 will be the 10.50 to Liverpool.
  • Everybody was late except me. I was the only one to arrive on time.

You can say that something is sure/certain/likely/bound to happen:

  • Carla is a very good student. She's bound to pass the exam. (= she is sure to pass)
  • I'm likely to get home late tonight. (= I will probably get home late)

65.1 (Section A) Write these sentences in another way, beginning as shown.

  1. It's difficult to understand him.
    He .
  2. It's easy to use this machine.
    This machine is __________ .
  3. It was very difficult to open the window.
    The window __________ .
  4. It's impossible to translate some words.
    Some words __________ .
  5. It's expensive to maintain a car.
    A __________ .
  6. It's not safe to stand on that chair.
    That __________ .

65.2 (Section A) Complete the second sentence. Use the adjective in brackets and to ... as in the example.

  1. I couldn't answer the question. (difficult)
    It was a .
  2. Everybody makes that mistake. (easy)
    It's an __________ .
  3. I like living in this place. (nice)
    It 's a __________ .
  4. We enjoyed watching the game. (good)
    It was a __________ .

65.3 (Section B) Make a new sentence beginning It .... Use one of these adjectives each time:

  • careless
  • inconsiderate
  • kind
  • nice
  1. Sue has offered to help me.
    .
  2. You make the same mistake again and again.
    It __________ .
  3. Dan and jenny invited me to stay with them.
    __________ .
  4. The neighbours make so much noise.
    __________ .

65.4 (Section C) Use the following words to complete these sentences:

  • I / sorry / hear
  • I / glad / hear
  • pleased / meet
  • we / surprised / see
  1. that your mother isn't well. I hope she gets better soon.
  2. I got your message. __________ that you're keeping well.
  3. __________ Paula at the party last night. We didn't expect her to come.
  4. 'Tom, this is Chris.' 'Hi Chris __________ you.'

65.5 (Section D) Complete the second sentence using the words in brackets + to ... .

  1. Nobody spoke before me.
    (the first) I was .
  2. Everybody else arrived before Paul.
    (the last) Paul was the __________ .
  3. Emily passed the exam. All the other students failed.
    (the only) Emily was __________ .
  4. I complained to the restaurant manager about the service. Another customer had already complained.
    (the second) I was __________ .
  5. Neil Armstrong walked on the moon in 1969. Nobody had done this before him.
    (the first) Neil Armstrong was __________ .

65.6 (Section E) Complete these sentences using the words in brackets and a suitable verb.

  1. Carla is a very good student. She the exam. (bound)
  2. I'm not surprised you're tired. After such a long journey you __________ tired. (bound)
  3. Andy has a very bad memory. He __________ what you t ell him. (sure)
  4. I don't think you need to take an umbrella. It __________ . (not likely)
  5. The holidays begin this weekend. There __________ a lot of traffic on the roads. (likely)

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