Adjective patterns in English

Many phrases begin with adjectives in English, but not everyone gets these grammar patterns right.

After all, it’s not always easy to know what kind of word should come after certain adjectives.

For example, which of these phrases do you think is correct?

“It’s easy to drive a car” .. or .. “It’s easy driving a car?” (answer below!)

Learning about adjective patterns is a quick way to improve your accuracy in English.

In this free English grammar lesson, I’ll show you how to use common adjective patterns in English, with examples and exercises.

Understanding adjective patterns

What are adjective patterns?

Adjective patterns are phrase “shapes” made by adjectives. They help us make correct and natural sentences.

We use adjective patterns to express many different functions, like:

• Show how we feel
• Give opinions
• Say how easy or hard something is
• Talk about duties or beliefs

Examples:

It’s easy to use.

NOT: It’s easy using.

How to make adjective patterns

Here are some of the most common adjective patterns:

• Adjective + infinitive → It’s easy to use
• Adjective + that-clause → I’m sure that it’s true
• Adjective + preposition + noun → She’s good at maths
• Adjective + preposition + gerund → They’re excited about travelling
• Adjective + for + noun + infinitive → It’s important for them to study

Each adjective pattern has its own structure.

Here’s a breakdown of each pattern with clear examples:

Adjective + infinitive

This pattern shows how someone feels about an action or gives an opinion about doing something.

• Structure: adjective + to + base verb
• Example: It’s easy to understand.

Adjective	Infinitive Example	Full Sentence Example
easy	to use	The app is easy to use.
happy	to help	She’s happy to help.
difficult	to explain	It’s difficult to explain.
nice	to meet you	It’s nice to meet you.
important	to remember	It’s important to remember names.

Adjective + that-clause

This grammar pattern introduces another action as part of a that-clause:

• Structure: adjective + that + subject + verb
• Example: I’m sure that he knows.

Adjective	Clause Example	Full Sentence Example
sure	that he knows	I’m sure that he knows.
glad	that you came	We’re glad that you came.
happy	that she passed	I’m happy that she passed.
lucky	that we arrived on time	It’s lucky that we arrived on time.
aware	that it might rain	He’s aware that it might rain.

Adjective + preposition + noun

The adjective + preposition + noun pattern links the adjective to a specific noun.

This is used to describe a connection between the adjective and a noun.

• Structure: adjective + preposition + noun
• Example: She’s proud of her school.

Adjective	Preposition	Noun Example	Full Sentence Example
proud	of	her school	She’s proud of her school.
famous	for	his paintings	He’s famous for his paintings.
good	at	maths	He’s good at maths.
interested	in	history	She’s interested in history.
responsible	for	the report	He’s responsible for the report.

Adjective + preposition + gerund

Some adjectives are followed by a preposition and then a verb in -ing form.

• Structure: adjective + preposition + gerund
• Example: They’re interested in learning.

Adjective	Preposition	Gerund Example	Full Sentence Example
tired	of	waiting	We’re tired of waiting.
excited	about	going	They’re excited about going.
afraid	of	falling	He’s afraid of falling.
good	at	cooking	She’s good at cooking.
responsible	for	organising	He’s responsible for organising.

Adjective + for + noun + infinitive

This pattern shows who is affected by or involved in an action described by the adjective.

• Structure: adjective + for + noun + to + base verb
• Example: It’s important for students to learn.

Adjective	Noun Example	Infinitive Example	Full Sentence Example
important	students	to revise	It’s important for students to revise.
difficult	him	to explain	It’s difficult for him to explain.
easy	us	to understand	It’s easy for us to understand.
necessary	workers	to rest	It’s necessary for workers to rest.
unusual	her	to be late	It’s unusual for her to be late.

Using adjective patterns in context

Example monologue

This informational text shows how we use adjective patterns in sentences.

Many students find it difficult to study when their environment is noisy. That’s why it’s useful for learners to create a quiet space. Researchers are also interested in how people manage stress during exams. It’s common for students to feel anxious, but it’s helpful to build routines that lower pressure. Some students are concerned that they won’t perform well, which is why support systems are important. It’s also essential to get enough sleep and take breaks. These strategies are effective in improving both focus and results.

Mistakes to avoid

1. Wrong preposition: She’s good in English. → She’s good at English.
2. Wrong verb form: He’s interested in hike. → He’s interested in hiking.

Adjective pattern exercises

Exercise 1 – Complete the sentences

(Use the correct form of the verb in brackets.)

1. She’s excited about ___________ (travel).
2. It’s important for us ___________ (be) on time.
3. I’m happy that you ___________ (call).
4. He’s responsible for ___________ (organise) the event.
5. This book is easy ___________ (understand).
6. They were afraid of ___________ (lose) the keys.
7. It’s good for children ___________ (have) routines.
8. I’m sure that she ___________ (arrive) soon.

Exercise 2 – Correct the mistake

1. I’m tired from wait.
2. She’s afraid from flying.
3. It’s difficult to him to focus.
4. We’re sure you’ll come.
5. He’s good on football.
6. It’s worth to try again.
7. She’s responsible of the money.
8. I’m happy you visit.

Exercise 3 – Choose the right option

1. I’m interested ___ learning Spanish.
   a) of b) in c) at
2. It’s important ___ children to eat well.
   a) to b) for c) of
3. She’s good ___ painting.
   a) on b) in c) at
4. I’m proud ___ my team.
   a) of b) for c) with
5. It’s easy ___ forget things when you’re tired.
   a) to b) for c) at
6. He’s afraid ___ snakes.
   a) to b) from c) of
7. I’m happy ___ you passed.
   a) that b) to c) in
8. This task is hard ___ me to finish.
   a) to b) for c) with

Answer key

Exercise 1

1. travelling
2. to be
3. called
4. organising
5. to understand
6. losing
7. to have
8. arrived

Exercise 2

1. I’m tired of waiting.
2. She’s afraid of flying.
3. It’s difficult for him to focus.
4. We’re sure that you’ll come.
5. He’s good at football.
6. It’s worth trying again.
7. She’s responsible for the money.
8. I’m happy that you visited.

Exercise 3

1. b) in
2. b) for
3. c) at
4. a) of
5. a) to
6. c) of
7. a) that
8. b) for

More exercises and help with English grammar here!