Sadruddin Ahmed
Lesson 11
Still More about Adjectives
Here is a list of adjectives which are usually or always used predicatively and which can be followed by the prepositions indicated:
answerable to dependant on incumbent on parallel to
answerable for dependent upon incumbent upon parallel with
burdened by immune from insensible of reliant on
burdened with immune to insensible to reliant upon
connected to inclined to intent on stricken by
connected with inclined towards intent upon stricken with
Examples
answerable to (having to explain your action to somebody in authority over you):
He is a businessman.
He is not answerable to anybody.
answerable for (responsible for something and ready to accept punishment or criticism for it):
Ministers should be responsible for their decisions.
burdened by (give somebody a duty that causes worry or difficulty):
He is burdened by high taxation.
burdened with:
He is burdened with a large family.
connected to: (something is joined to something else):
The printer is not connected to the computer.
connected with (make a link with somebody or something):
He is not connected with the crime.
dependent on/upon( affected or decided by something):
He is too old to work. He is dependent on/upon his children.
immune to( affected by a particular disease):
He is immune to measles.
immune from (protected from something and so is able to avoid it):
No one should be immune from prosecution.
inclined to/towards(tend to think or behave in a particular way):
I am inclined to agree with you.
incumbent on/upon(necessary as part of somebody’s duty):
It is incumbent on us to attend the ceremony.
insensible of(not aware of situation or that might happen):
We are were insensible of the risks involved in the task.
insensible to( unable to feel something):
He was insensible to pain.
intent on/upon (determined to do something):
He is intent on/ upon going abroad.
reliant on (depend on):
This organization is reliant on charity.
stricken(seriously affected by/with):
The family is stricken by poverty.
To complete the meaning of some adjectives which are used predicatively, you need to use ‘to’-infinitive following the adjectives. For example, you cannot just say: ‘I am unable’. You have add a ‘to’ infinitive: ‘to go there’.
Here is a list of adjectives which are always or nearly always followed by ‘to’-infinitives:
able due inclined loath unwilling
bound fated liable prepared willing
doomed fit likely unable
Examples
He was able to complete his course in time.
The exam is due to begin next month.
I am inclined to think that he is efficient.
He is loath (not willing) to accept the job.
She is unwilling to marry the man chosen by her parents.
He is bound (likely to happen) to pass the exam.
He was fated to die young
You are liable to be expelled for cheating in the exam.
He is prepared (ready) to accept any well-paid job.
I am willing to help you.
Your efforts are doomed to fail.
He is fit to work hard.
He neglected his studies, so he is likely to fail in the exam.
I am unable to recommend you for the job.
We can use a ‘to’-infinitive after many other adjectives to give more information about something.
Examples
He was afraid to go out in the dark.
I am happy to see you.
He was powerless to do anything about the problem
She was ashamed to tell her mother about her secret marriage.
This lesson is easy to follow.
I am sorry to disturb you.
I am glad to receive your letter.
When adjectives which refer to someone’s beliefs or feelings are used predicatively they are often followed by a that-clause.
Here is a list of common adjectives which are often followed by a that -clause:
Afraid certain happy sorry upset
angry confident pleased sure worried
anxious frightened proud surprised
aware glad sad unaware
Examples
He is afraid that he might miss the bus.
She is angry that she has lost her necklace.
We are anxious that she is not recovering from her heart attack.
I am aware that our English is poor.
We are certain that he will do well in the exam.
I am confident that he will win in the election.
She is frightened that she may not get the job.
I am glad that your mother is getting well.
We are happy that you have done well in the exam.
We are proud that you have come first in the competition.
I was unaware that she had got married.
She was upset that her father was ill.
I was pleasantly surprised that he was awarded the first prize in the essay competition.
We are worried that she has failed in the exam.
Exercise
1.Make your own sentences with the following adjectives:
accustomed adjacent similar injurious
devoted fond incapable heedless full
2.Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions:
He is not answerable—-anybody.
She is stricken—-an incurable disease.
It is incumbent—–us to abide by the rules
I am prepared——-face any situation.
He is unwilling ——step down from his position.
3.Complete the following sentences with a that-clause:
She is confident ——
I am sorry—–
We are happy—-
He is sure—–
She anxious—-