ADJECTIVES WITH NOUN CLAUSES

1. Using that-clauses (1) and wh-clauses (2) after adjectives.

Some adjective: sorry, happy, surprise,..
(1) Ex: Mark was surprised that you asked about him.
It isn’t surprising that the weather was bad.
(2) Ex: We weren’t certain when he would drive.
Isn’t it amazing how much teenagers can eat?
We use prepositions before wh-clauses, but not before that-clauses.(3)
(3) Ex: I’m sorry about what I said.
I’m sorry that I was late.
2. Using empty subject it before a linking verb (be, seem) and an adjective plus a noun clause.(4)
Ex: It’s disgraceful that children can’t spell their our name.
It seems odd that he didn’t call.
The noun clause is sometimes used as subject.(5)
Ex: That children can’t spell their own names is disgraceful.
3. Using noun clauses without that after adjective.
Ex: I’m sure (that) it’s a mistake.
4. Using adjectives for person feelings before noun clauses describing the cause of those feeling.
(7)
Other adjectives: amazed, angry, happy, sad, proud,…
Ex: We were afraid (that) you wouldn’t come.
5. Using adjectives expressing degree of certainty before noun clauses describing the information
we are more or less certain about.(8)
Other adjectives: certain, confident, doubtful, sure,…
Ex: He was positive (that) he had chosen the right answer.

Bt: The test would be easy. Sean was absolutely sure of it.
A. Sean was absoulutely sure of that the test would be easy.
B. Sean was absoulutely sure which the test would be easy.
C. Sean was absoulutely sure the test would be easy.

1. Our old car might break down. We were afraid of that.

A. We were afraid of that our old car might break down.
B. We were afraid that our old car might break down.
C. We were afraid when our old car might break down.
It was rather… I discovered that “ kick the bucket” meant the same as “die”.
A. Amazed
B. Happy
C. Sure
I was very ... that Karen suddenly decided to quit her job.
A. Surprised
B. Confident
C. Certain