Glad That, Sorry That, Sure That
In this lesson, you can express a reaction to a complete proposition with its own subject.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Choose a short recording.
Before you start
Respond to good news with glad.
See one possible response
I’m glad that the plan worked.
A travel group exchanges updates about arrangements and reacts to the news.
What you will practise
- Express a reaction to a complete proposition with its own subject.
- Distinguish a certainty statement from verification.
- Choose the inner tense and word order to match the news.
Try each response before revealing a model. Equivalent grammatical answers are welcome when they preserve the task meaning.
A feeling plus a complete statement
Glad, happy and sorry can be followed by that and a full clause: I’m glad that you arrived. The feeling belongs to I; the arrival belongs to you. That is often omitted in speech, but keep the subject and verb of the clause.
I’m glad that you found the address.
We’re sorry that the shop is closed.
Certainty and the source of it
Sure that introduces what someone feels certain about: I’m sure the room is booked. This describes the speaker’s confidence, not independent proof. Use not sure when confidence is limited, and add evidence or a question when useful.
I’m sure that the train leaves at six; I checked the ticket.
I’m not sure that this is the right platform.
Choose the time inside the clause
The adjective’s be form and the following clause can have different times: I’m glad you came yesterday; I’m sorry I can’t come tomorrow. Keep normal statement order after that, not question order. The time follows the intended event.
I’m glad you’re coming next week.
She was sorry that she missed the call.
A present feeling can concern a past event
The feeling is present.
The call was missed in the past.
Guided practice
Say or write your answer first. Then compare the meaning and grammar with the model.
1. I’m glad that Nina is helping. Who feels glad and who helps?
Compare a model and explanation
I feels glad; Nina helps.
The two clauses have different subjects.
Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.
2. I’m sure is the room ready.
Compare a model and explanation
I’m sure the room is ready.
Use statement order in the complement.
Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.
3. We’re glad that you can join us.
Compare a model and explanation
We’re glad you can join us.
The clause remains complete without that.
Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.
4. The visit happened yesterday; your pleasure is now. Complete I’m glad you ___ yesterday. Use come.
Compare a model and explanation
came
The event is past even though the feeling is present.
Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.
5. I’m sure the office is open. Make the certainty negative.
Compare a model and explanation
I’m not sure the office is open.
This limits confidence without asserting closure.
Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.
6. I’m glad to help. I’m glad that you can help. Who helps in each?
Compare a model and explanation
I help in the first; you help in the second.
The finite clause can have its own explicit subject.
Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.
7. I’m sure it will be easy. Does this prove it will be easy?
Compare a model and explanation
No.
It states confidence, not a guaranteed outcome.
Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.
8. A friend says they cannot attend tomorrow. Express regret about that future situation.
Compare a model and explanation
I’m sorry you can’t attend tomorrow.
The inner clause matches the future inability.
Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.
A short conversation
Listen to the exchange, then take one role. The speaker labels identify roles; do not narrate them.
Open the conversation transcript
Traveller: I found the booking email.
Friend: I’m glad you found it. Is the room ready?
Traveller: I’m not sure it’s ready yet, but I’m sure the booking is confirmed.
Friend: Good. I’m sorry I can’t arrive before six.
Listening checks
Listen to each extract, then choose the best answer. These three questions have their own score.
Answer key with explanations
Who is expected to help?
Eva.: Eva is the subject of the inner clause.
Compare all choices
- Only the speaker.: The speaker feels glad; Eva helps.
- Eva.: Eva is the subject of the inner clause.
- Nobody.: Help is positively mentioned.
What is the speaker’s position?
Uncertain about whether it is open.: Not sure and the check request show uncertainty.
Compare all choices
- Certain that it is open.: The speaker explicitly says not sure.
- Certain that it is closed.: Lack of certainty about opening does not assert closure.
- Uncertain about whether it is open.: Not sure and the check request show uncertainty.
When did the missed call happen?
Yesterday.: The inner clause gives past time.
Compare all choices
- Yesterday.: The inner clause gives past time.
- Tomorrow.: No future missed call is described.
- Only after the current conversation.: The event is already past.
Mastery quiz
Choose the best answer for each situation. The score is out of eight.
Answer key with explanations
Choose the correct clause order.
I’m glad that you came.: The inner clause uses subject then verb.
Compare all choices
- I’m glad that you came.: The inner clause uses subject then verb.
- I’m glad that came you.: This reverses neutral statement order.
- I’m glad that did you come.: Direct-question order is not used here.
In I’m sorry that Jo can’t join us, who cannot join?
Jo.: Jo is the subject of can’t join.
Compare all choices
- Everyone in the group.: Only Jo is specified.
- Jo.: Jo is the subject of can’t join.
- The speaker necessarily.: The speaker is the person feeling sorry.
Can that be omitted in We’re glad that you’re here?
Yes: We’re glad you’re here.: The complement remains a full clause.
Compare all choices
- Yes: We’re glad here.: That also removes essential clause material.
- No, never in speech.: Omission is common in this frame.
- Yes: We’re glad you’re here.: The complement remains a full clause.
Complete: I’m glad you ___ yesterday. Use arrive.
arrived: Yesterday places the arrival in the past.
Compare all choices
- arrived: Yesterday places the arrival in the past.
- arriving: The inner clause needs a finite verb.
- arrive: That does not match the specified completed event.
What does I’m not sure it’s correct state?
Limited confidence about correctness.: It does not settle whether it is correct.
Compare all choices
- Proof that it is wrong.: Uncertainty is not proof of the opposite.
- Limited confidence about correctness.: It does not settle whether it is correct.
- Complete confidence that it is correct.: Not sure explicitly limits confidence.
Which sentence clearly makes the listener the helper?
I’m glad that you can help.: You is the explicit actor of help.
Compare all choices
- I’m glad about the help.: This does not itself name the helper.
- I’m glad to help.: The ordinary understood actor is I.
- I’m glad that you can help.: You is the explicit actor of help.
Choose a present reaction to a future arrangement.
I’m glad you’re coming tomorrow.: Present pleasure is linked to a future visit.
Compare all choices
- I’m glad you’re coming tomorrow.: Present pleasure is linked to a future visit.
- I’m glad you came yesterday.: This concerns a past event.
- I was glad you came last year.: Both feeling and event are past.
Which claim is justified by I’m sure it will work?
The speaker presents confidence.: Sure expresses the speaker’s stance.
Compare all choices
- The speaker is necessarily lying.: The sentence gives no basis for that judgement.
- The speaker presents confidence.: Sure expresses the speaker’s stance.
- The outcome is independently guaranteed.: Confidence is not a guarantee.
Use it in your own words
React to someone else
Give two reactions about other people’s actions, naming the inner subjects.
Reveal a possible response
I’m glad Sara can join us. I’m sorry Ben missed the train.
- Distinguish the person reacting from the actor
- Choose appropriate event times
All situations can be fictional.
Confidence and checking
State one thing you are sure about with a reason and one thing you are not sure about with a check request.
Reveal a possible response
I’m sure the room is booked because I have the email. I’m not sure the projector works. Could we test it?
- Separate confidence from evidence
- Avoid turning uncertainty into denial
Use a practical low-stakes context.
Put it all together
Respond to a group’s changing plans: one person can come, another missed a message, and the venue time needs checking.
Reveal a possible response
I’m glad that Hana can come. I’m sorry that Luis missed the message. I’m not sure the room is free at seven, so let’s check with the organiser.
- Include separate subjects
- Mix relevant times
- State uncertainty accurately and act on it
Other coherent messages are welcome.
Take it with you
Adjectives can introduce a full that-clause with its own subject and tense. Keep your reaction or certainty separate from the event you are describing.