Adjectives: complementation

Many adjectives can be followed by ‘complements’ – other words and expressions that ‘complete’ their meaning. Not all adjectives are followed by the same kind of complement.

Some adjectives can be followed by preposition + noun/ -ing form.

She is interested in philosophy.

She is interested in learning philosophy.

Some adjectives can be followed by infinitives.

This book is difficult to understand.

It is easy to give advice.

It may be impossible to get that post.

I am glad to see you.

The soup is ready to eat.

Some adjectives can be followed by clauses.

It is important that every child should get good education.

I am glad that you are safe.

Many adjectives can be followed by more than one kind of complement.

I am pleased about her success. (Here the adjective pleased is followed by a preposition + noun.)

I am pleased to see you here. (Here the adjective pleased is followed by a to-infinitive.)

I am pleased that they have agreed to come. (Here the adjective pleased is followed by a that-clause.)

Notes

We do not usually put adjective + complement before a noun. Instead, we put the complement after the noun.

He is a difficult person to work with. (NOT He is a difficult to work with person.)