Understanding Structures with "Adjective + That-Clause" in English
By Author Giljonnys Dias da Silva
The structure "Adjective + That-Clause" in English is a versatile grammatical construction where an adjective is followed by a noun clause (also called a "that-clause"). These structures are typically used to express opinions, beliefs, emotions, or reactions regarding an idea or situation introduced by the clause. The clause, introduced by the word "that," can often reflect the speaker’s attitude, judgment, or perception about a specific fact or event.
Modern Dictionary of English-Portuguese and Portuguese-English Collocations (Complete Edition): https://www.recantodasletras.com.br/gramatica/8286877
This construction is commonly found in both formal and informal contexts and plays a significant role in expressing more complex thoughts or attitudes. By using adjectives followed by a "that-clause," speakers are able to provide additional context to their opinions or feelings about something happening in the world, someone’s actions, or a hypothetical situation.
How "Adjective + That-Clause" Works
In English, the "that-clause" can follow many adjectives, particularly those that describe attitudes or emotional responses. These adjectives may reflect certainty, doubt, surprise, hope, frustration, and more. The "that-clause" functions as a noun clause, which serves as the subject or object of the sentence and helps provide a clear idea of what the adjective is referring to.
I am happy that you passed the test.
Eu estou feliz que você passou na prova.
She was sad that they couldn’t attend the event.
Ela estava triste que eles não puderam comparecer ao evento.
They were surprised that he got the promotion.
Eles ficaram surpresos que ele recebeu a promoção.
He is sure that they will win the match.
Ele tem certeza de que eles vão ganhar o jogo.
Adjectives Commonly Used with "That-Clauses"
The "Adjective + That-Clause" structure is commonly used with adjectives that express emotions, evaluations, and judgments.
While Portuguese does not always use the exact same construction as English, the meaning can be conveyed using equivalent adjectives and that-clauses. The following is a list of common "adjective + that-clause" constructions in English and their corresponding translations into Brazilian Portuguese.
be adamant that: ter convicção de que, ser inflexível quanto a
be afraid that: ter medo de que, ter receio de que
be angry that: estar bravo com o fato de que, ficar irritado com o fato de que
be annoyed that: estar irritado com o fato de que, ficar aborrecido quanto a
be anticipated that: estar previsto que, ser previsível que, prever-se que
be anxious that: estar apreensivo que, temer que, estar tenso com o fato de que
be apparent that: ser aparente que
be apprehensive that: estar apreensivo de que, estar receoso de que, ter receio de que
be appropriate that: ser apropriado que, ser adequado que, ser conveniente que, ser correto que
be arguable that: ser discutível que
be astonished that: estar surpreso que, estar pasmado que, ficar surpreendido que
be aware that: estar ciente de que
be careful that: ter cautela para que, acautelar-se para que
be certain that: ter certeza de que
be convinced that: estar convencido de que
be correct that: ser correto que, ser certo que
be curious that: estar curioso de que
be definite that: assegurar-se que, certificar-se que, estar certo de que, ter certeza de que
be delighted that: ficar satisfeito que, estar muito feliz que, estar contente que
be determined that: estar determinado que, estar decidido que, ter firme intenção de que, ter plena convicção de que
be disappointed that: estar decepcionado por, estar triste por
be doubtful that: ter dúvidas de que
be emphatic that: ser enfático de que, fazer questão de dizer que, deixar claro que
be good that: ser bom que
be happy that: estar feliz que
be hopeful that: ter esperança de que
be impossible that: ser impossível que
be inevitable that: ser inevitável que
be insistent that: insistir que, ficar insistindo em que
be interesting that: ser interessante que
be jealous that: ter ciúmes de que, ficar com ciúmes por
be keen that: estar ansioso que, ter interesse em que, estar ansioso para que, desejar fortemente que
be likely that: ser provável que
be natural that: ser natural que
be obvious that: ser óbvio que
be possible that: ser possível que
be praiseworthy that: ser louvável que
be probable that: ser provável que
be right that: estar certo de que, estar correto ao dizer que
be significant that: ser significativo que
be skeptical that: ser cético de que, duvidar que, não estar convencido de que, ser cético quanto a
be strange that: ser estranho que
be sure that: ter certeza de que
be surprising that: ser surpreendente que
be unaware that: não saber que, não estar ciente de que
be unlikely that: ser improvável que
be unsure that: não ter certeza de que
become clear that: ficar claro que, ficar evidente que
become evident that: ficar evidente que
become hopeful that: ficar esperançoso de que, passar a ter esperança de que, ficar otimista de que
become impossible that: ficar impossível que
become worried that: ficar preocupado de que, preocupar-se de que, ficar preocupado com o fato de que
feel ashamed that: sentir vergonha por, ficar envergonhado por, sentir vergonha de que
feel certain that: sentir a certeza de que
find it interesting that: achar interessante que
seem bothered that: parecer incomodado com o fato de que, parecer desconfortável quanto a
seem clear that: parecer claro que
seem convincing that: parecer convincente que
seem obvious that: parecer óbvio que, ser óbvio, parecer evidente que
seem strange that: parecer estranho que, ser estranho que
sound convincing that: soar convincente a dizer que, transmitir certeza ao afirmar que, ser crível ao declarar que
Here are examples of "Adjective + That-Clause" structures in English with their respective translations into Brazilian Portuguese:
I am glad that you came.
Estou feliz que você veio.
It is important that we talk.
É importante que a gente converse.
I am sure that he knows the truth.
Tenho certeza de que ele sabe a verdade.
She is afraid that it might rain.
Ela tem medo de que possa chover.
We are surprised that they left early.
Estamos surpresos que eles foram embora cedo.
It is possible that she forgot.
É possível que ela tenha esquecido.
He is proud that he passed the test.
Ele está orgulhoso de ter passado na prova.
I am happy that you are here.
Estou feliz que você está aqui.
It is clear that they need help.
Está claro que eles precisam de ajuda.
She is confident that she will win.
Ela está confiante de que vai ganhar.
To sum up, the "adjective + that-clause" structure is a useful tool for expressing emotions, opinions, and judgments in English. It provides English learners with a way to articulate complex thoughts and reactions to different situations in a clear and structured manner. By mastering this construction, English learners can improve their fluency and express themselves more naturally. The translations into Brazilian Portuguese show how these structures work across languages by helping English learners to bridge the gap between their native language and English for more effective communication.
Bibliographic References
Quirk, R., Greenbaum, S., Leech, G., & Svartvik, J. (1985). A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language. Longman.
This reference provides detailed explanations of English grammar, including sentence structures, adjectives, and noun clauses.
Swan, M. (2005). Practical English Usage (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
This practical guide to English usage explains a wide range of grammar points, including structures like adjective + noun clauses.
Huddleston, R., & Pullum, G. K. (2002). The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language. Cambridge University Press.
A comprehensive reference for English grammar, including a detailed analysis of clause structures and the use of adjectives.
Azar, B. S., & Hagen, S. A. (2009). Understanding and Using English Grammar (4th ed.). Pearson Longman.
This grammar book explains how different grammatical structures function in English, including the use of adjectives with clauses.
Biber, D., Conrad, S., & Leech, G. (2002). Longman Grammar of Spoken and Written English. Longman.
Provides detailed analysis of grammar patterns found in both spoken and written English, which includes various clause structures, including those with adjectives.
Celce-Murcia, M., & Larsen-Freeman, D. (1999). The Grammar Book: An ESL/EFL Teacher’s Course (2nd ed.). Heinle & Heinle.
A textbook aimed at English teachers, which offers in-depth explanations of English grammar structures, including adjective + that-clause constructions.
Collins, P., & Hollo, P. (2011). English Grammar: Understanding the Basics. Cambridge University Press.
This book provides an introduction to fundamental English grammar, including the use of clauses and adjectives.
Greenbaum, S., & Quirk, R. (1990). A Student's Grammar of the English Language. Longman.
This is a student-friendly guide to English grammar with easy-to-understand explanations, covering many clause structures, including the use of adjectives with noun clauses.