What can follow an adjective?

Many adjectives can be followed by ‘complements’ – words and expressions that ‘complete’ their meaning. Not all adjectives are followed by the same kind of complement. Some can be followed by preposition + noun/-ing (see here).

• I’m interested in cookery.
• I’m interested in learning to cook.

Some can be followed by infinitives (see here).

• You don’t look happy to see me.
• The soup is ready to eat.

An infinitive may have its own subject, introduced by for (see here).

• I’m anxious for her to get a good education. (= I’m anxious that she should get …)

Some adjectives can be followed by clauses (see here).

• I’m glad that you were able to come.
• It’s important that everybody should feel comfortable.

And many adjectives can have more than one kind of complement.

• I’m pleased about her promotion.
• I’m pleased to see you here.
• I’m pleased that we seem to agree.

We rarely put adjective + complement before a noun (see here).

• He’s a difficult person to understand. (not He’s a difficult to understand person.)

note

For the structures that are possible with a particular adjective, see a good dictionary.