oxford_guide_to_english_grammar

14 THE INFINITIVE
PAGE 154
3 The pattern It was an easy letter to write
The adjective can come before a noun.
It was a marvellous experience to visit the Grand Canyon.
It's a difficult problem to solve.
It's a rare thing to see a horse and cart nowadays.
4 Patterns with too and enough
In adjective + to-infinitive patterns we often use too or enough.
It's too difficult to work the figures out in your head.
The coffee was too hot to drink.
This rucksack isn't big enough to get everything in.
NOTE
Compare very, too and enough in the adjective + noun pattern (Pattern 3).
It's a very difficult problem to solve.
It's too difficult a problem to solve in your head.
It's a difficult enough problem to keep a whole team of scientists busy.
5 The pattern I was happy to write the letter
Here the subject of the main clause is a person.
We were sorry to hear your bad news. (= We were sorry when we heard.)
I'm quite prepared to help.
You were clever to find that out.
You were lucky to win the game.
Here are some examples of adjectives in this pattern.
Feelings: happy, glad, pleased, delighted; amused; proud; grateful; surprised;
interested; sad, sorry; angry, annoyed; ashamed; horrified
Willing/Unwilling: willing, eager, anxious, keen, impatient, determined, ready,
prepared; unwilling, reluctant; afraid
Some adjectives expressing personal qualities: mean, clever, sensible, right, silly
The adjectives lucky and fortunate
NOTE
a After some of these adjectives we can use a preposition + gerund: happy about writing the
letter. • 132(4)
b Compare these patterns with an adjective expressing a personal quality.
Pattern 1: It was mean (of you) not to leave a tip.
Pattern 5: You were mean not to leave a tip.
c We can use quick and slow to express manner.
The government has been quick to act. (= The government has acted quickly.)
6 The pattern It is likely to happen
In this pattern we can use likely, sure and certain.
The peace talks are likely to last several weeks.
The party is sure to be a great success.