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English grammar

After the noun: the people concerned, a problem to be solved

C1 · Advanced Nouns and describing Questions 10

The rule

In formal English much of the information in a noun phrase comes after the noun. Some adjectives follow it, and their meaning changes with the position: the people responsible (those to blame) against responsible people (sensible); the members present (attending) against the present members (current); the official concerned (involved) against a concerned official (worried). After indefinite pronouns the adjective always follows: anyone interested, something different. After a superlative, available and possible often follow: the cheapest hotel available. A to-infinitive can postmodify: the first woman to lead the union, issues to be resolved, a good place to eat, a decision not to be taken lightly. And prepositional phrases stack: a rise in the price of fuel in rural areas. Learning to unpack these is half of reading a report.

Pattern

noun + adjective: the people responsible / concerned / involved / present · anyone / something + adjective · superlative + noun + available / possible · noun + to-infinitive: the first to …, issues to be resolved · stacked phrases: a rise in the price of …

Examples

  1. Please contact the person responsible for bookings.

  2. She was the first woman to lead the union.

  3. All the members present voted in favour.

  4. There are still several issues to be resolved.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: The concerned people have been informed.

    Right: The people concerned have been informed.

    the people concerned = those involved; concerned people = worried people.

  • Wrong: She was the first to arriving.

    Right: She was the first to arrive.

    the first / last / only + to-infinitive.

  • Wrong: Is there interested anyone in the job?

    Right: Is there anyone interested in the job?

    After anyone, something and similar words, the adjective follows.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

    What does the sentence mean?

    The people responsible will be punished.

    1. People with jobs will be punished.
    2. Sensible people will be punished.
    3. Those who caused it will be punished.
    4. Everybody will be punished.
    Show answer

    Answer: C Those who caused it will be punished.

    the people responsible = those to blame.

  2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

    What does the sentence mean?

    She is a very responsible person.

    1. She is the person in charge today.
    2. She is sensible and can be trusted.
    3. She is responsible for the budget.
    4. She is to blame for what happened.
    Show answer

    Answer: B She is sensible and can be trusted.

    Before the noun, responsible = sensible, reliable.

  3. 3Choose the correct sentence.

    1. Anyone who interested should contact the office.
    2. Interested anyone should contact the office.
    3. Anyone interesting should contact the office.
    4. Anyone interested should contact the office.
    Show answer

    Answer: D Anyone interested should contact the office.

    anyone + adjective.

  4. 4Fill in the gap.

    He was the last person _____ the building that night.

    1. left
    2. to leave
    3. leaving it
    4. who leave
    Show answer

    Answer: B He was the last person to leave the building that night.

    the last person to + infinitive.

  5. 5Change the sentence.

    Put the adjective after the noun.

    All the members who were present agreed.

    1. All the present members agreed.
    2. All the members were present agreed.
    3. All the presently members agreed.
    4. All the members present agreed.
    Show answer

    Answer: D All the members present agreed.

    the members present = those attending; the present members = the current ones.

  6. 6This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    There are many problems solving before we open.

    1. There are many problems solved before we open.
    2. There are many problems to solving before we open.
    3. There are many problems to solve before we open.
    4. There are many problems for solve before we open.
    Show answer

    Answer: C There are many problems to solve before we open.

    A task still to be done: noun + to-infinitive.

  7. 7Choose the correct sentence.

    What is the difference?

    A: the present members B: the members present

    1. There is no difference.
    2. A means those attending; B means current members.
    3. A means current members; B means those attending.
    4. A is formal; B is informal.
    Show answer

    Answer: C A means current members; B means those attending.

    Position changes the meaning of present.

  8. 8Put the words in the right order.

    She was the only candidate to mention the budget

    Show answer

    Answer: She was the only candidate to mention the budget.

    the only + noun + to-infinitive.

  9. 9Choose the correct sentence.

    1. The official concerned has been suspended.
    2. The official who concerned has been suspended.
    3. The concerned official has been suspended because involved.
    4. The official concerning has been suspended.
    Show answer

    Answer: A The official concerned has been suspended.

    the official concerned = the official involved.

  10. 10Fill in the gap.

    You are writing a formal notice.

    Students _____ in joining the choir should email Ms Hart.

    1. interesting
    2. interested
    3. who interested
    4. interest
    Show answer

    Answer: B Students interested in joining the choir should email Ms Hart.

    noun + interested in: those who want to.

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