Predicative adjectives with to-infinitival complements

Adjectives

Adjective / construction	Category	Example	Semantic type	Contribution of the adjective	Time orientation	Subject relation
about to	Prospective construction	The train is about to leave.	Imminence / prospective aspect	The event is on the point of happening	Immediate future	Subject is interpreted as the subject of the infinitive
bound to	Modal adjective	The train is bound to leave eventually.	Strong prediction / inevitability	The event is regarded as unavoidable or highly certain	Future-oriented	Subject is interpreted as the subject of the infinitive
certain to	Modal adjective	The train is certain to leave soon.	Strong epistemic modality	The speaker has strong confidence that the event will happen	Future-oriented	Subject is interpreted as the subject of the infinitive
due to	Prospective construction	The train is due to leave at 10:00.	Scheduled expectation	The event is expected according to a timetable or arrangement	Future (often scheduled)	Subject is interpreted as the subject of the infinitive
eager to	Disposition adjective	John is eager to leave.	Desire / motivation	The subject strongly wants the action	Usually prospective	Subject is the actor of the infinitive
expected to	Prospective construction	The train is expected to leave soon.	Expectation	Someone’s prediction or expectation supports the event	Future-oriented	Subject is interpreted as the subject of the infinitive
likely to	Modal adjective	The train is likely to leave soon.	Probability	The event has a high probability	Future-oriented	Subject is interpreted as the subject of the infinitive
prepared to	Readiness/state adjective	The train is prepared to leave.	Readiness / state	The necessary preparation has occurred	Often future, but not necessarily	Subject is interpreted as the subject of the infinitive
ready to	Readiness/state adjective	The train is ready to leave.	Readiness / state	Conditions for the event are satisfied	Often future, but not necessarily	Subject is interpreted as the subject of the infinitive
reluctant to	Disposition adjective	John is reluctant to leave.	Attitude / disposition	The subject has an unwilling attitude toward the action	Not inherently future	Subject is the actor of the infinitive
set to	Prospective construction	The train is set to leave shortly.	Expected development / arrangement	The event is arranged or expected to happen	Future	Subject is interpreted as the subject of the infinitive
sure to	Modal adjective	The train is sure to leave soon.	Strong epistemic modality	The speaker has strong confidence that the event will happen	Future-oriented	Subject is interpreted as the subject of the infinitive
unlikely to	Modal adjective	The train is unlikely to leave soon.	Low probability	The event has a low probability	Future-oriented	Subject is interpreted as the subject of the infinitive
willing to	Disposition adjective	John is willing to help.	Volition / willingness	The subject has the disposition to perform the action	Not inherently future	Subject is the actor of the infinitive

Categories

Type	Examples	Meaning
Modal adjectives (epistemic)	likely, unlikely, certain, sure, bound	Probability, certainty, prediction
Prospective adjectives/constructions	about to, due to, set to, expected to	Future orientation, imminence, expectation
Disposition/attitude adjectives	eager, willing, reluctant	Subject’s attitude or willingness
Readiness/state adjectives	ready, prepared	State enabling an action