OXFORDPRACTICEGRAMMAR67 ADJECTIVE + TO-INFINITIVE B It is easy to drive the car An adjective + to-infinitive often comes in this structure with it + be. It's important to look in the mirror. It's lovely to see you. It's quite safe to use the ladder. It was silly to make such a fuss. The subject can also be a person. I'm delighted to see you. We're ready to start now. C The car is easy to drive Compare these two sentences. They both mean the same thing. It is easy to drive the car. The car is easy to drive. We do not use it in the second sentence. NOT The-car-is-easy-to-drive-it and NOT The-car it is-easy-to-drive. Here are some more examples. Your writing is difficult to read. A small car would be cheap to run. The parade was fascinating to watch. The ladder is quite safe to use. We can use this structure with adjectives meaning 'good' or bad', e.g. awful, bad, exciting, fascinating, good, marvellous, nice, terrible, wonderful. We can also use it with these adjectives: cheap, convenient, dangerous, difficult, easy, expensive, impossible, safe, simple. D Certain, sure and likely We can use a to-infinitive after certain, sure, likely and unlikely. United are certain/sure to win. (= They will certainly win.) Sarah is likely to be at work. (= She is probably at work.) E For and of After some adjectives we can use for + object + to-infinitive (see Unit 68). It's important for drivers to take care. It isn't safe for children to play on ladders. After an adjective describing how someone behaves (e.g. polite, silly), we can use of. It was polite of Emma to write and thank us. (Emma was polite.) It was silly of me to forget the tickets. (I was silly.) 68 For with the to-infinitive 117 Too and enough We can use a to-infinitive (e.g. to be) after an adjective (e.g. great). 67 Exercises 1 It is easy to drive the car (B) Sarah's job is to write advertisements. She is writing one for Compex computers. Write sentences with it and an adjective followed by a to-infinitive. ► Buy a Compex computer. It isn't expensive. It isn't expensive to buy a Compex computer. 1 Using the computer is very simple. It's very 2 Understanding the handbook isn't difficult. It isn't . 3 You can run any kind of software. It's easy. 4 Exploring the world of Compex is absolutely fascinating. 5 Try the ultimate computer experience. Are you ready? 2 The car is easy to drive (C) Sarah isn't happy with her ideas for the Compex advertisement. She is rewriting the first four sentences like this. ► A Compex computer isn't expensive to buy. 1 The computer . 2 The handbook . 3 . . 4 ……………………………………………………………………………… … 3 Certain, sure and likely (D) Complete the conversation. Make sentences from the notes in brackets. Nick: Are you going to Mike and Harriet's party? Tom: Yes, I am. (►) It's sure to be a good party (it / sure / be / a good party). Nick: Will there be a lot of people there? Tom: Yes, (1) …………………………………………………………………………… (it / likely / be / pretty crowded). Nick: Has Rita been invited, do you know? Tom: Oh, (2) . . (she / certain / be / there). Nick: I don't know that part of town. Is the house easy to find? Tom: No, it isn't. Take a map or (3) ………………… (you / unlikely / find / it). 4 For and of (E) Vicky and Rachel are talking about two students they know called Gary and Steve. Complete the conversation. Put in for or of. Vickv: I can't believe that Gary and Steve had a fight in a pub. Don't you think that was very foolish (►)of them? Rachel: Yes, it was especially stupid (1) .them to quarrel about which football team is the best. There must be something more interesting (2) them to talk about. Vicky: I blame Steve. It wasn't very sensible (3) .him to knock Gary's drink over. Rachel: It was brave (4) Daniel to try to stop the fight. It was awful (5) him to get hit on the head with a chair. . OXFORD PRACTICE GRAMMAR 67 ADJECTIVE + TO-INFINITIVE B It is easy to drive the car An adjective. enough We can use a to-infinitive (e.g. to be) after an adjective (e.g. great). 67 Exercises 1 It is easy to drive the car (B) Sarah's job is to write