Adjectives + Prepositions

Let’s look at which prepositions follow certain adjectives in English.

We can put a preposition after some adjectives in English. They connect the adjective to an object. There are some general rules, but these are not very strict, so we usually just need to memorise the combinations. Here the adjectives are grouped by preposition.

Note:
– This is not a complete list.
– For some adjectives, more than one preposition is possible. Sometimes the meaning is different and sometimes the meaning is the same.
– For some adjectives in this list, some possible prepositions have not been given. This is just a selection of some of the most common combinations.

This is often used for behaviours, feelings, opinions and descriptions.

nice/kind/good of (somebody)
– It was nice of you to help Frank.
polite of (somebody)
– It was polite of him not to mention my dirty clothes.
rude of (somebody)
– It was rude of you not to say thank you.
generous of (somebody)
– She gave them $100? That was very generous of her.
stupid/dumb/silly of (somebody)
– It was silly of me to wear warm clothes to the beach.
sure/certain of (something)
– The train leaves at 8am, but I’m not sure of the time.
afraid/scared/frightened/terrified of (something/somebody)
– I’m scared of snakes.
– My son is terrified of clowns.
fond of (something/somebody)
– We’re fond of our little garden.
– She’s very fond of her grandmother.
proud of (something/somebody)
– You should feel proud of your achievements.
– We’re proud of our daughter.
envious/jealous of (something/somebody)
– I’m envious of their house.
– Why are you jealous of your sister?
ashamed of (something/somebody)
– I’m ashamed of my behaviour last night.
– She felt ashamed of her brother after he spoke rudely to everyone.
critical of (something/somebody)
– Jane is rather critical of the media.
– Their parents were very critical of them growing up.
tolerant of (something/somebody)
– We should be tolerant of other people’s beliefs.
– I’m not very tolerant of inconsiderate people.
aware/conscious of (something)
– I’m aware of the problem.
sick/tired of (something/somebody)
– After an hour, we got tired of waiting.
– I’m so sick of my boss.
full of (something/somebody)
– Jack is always full of energy.
– The shop is full of people.
capable of (something)
– She’s capable of running a business.
typical of (something/somebody)
– This dish is typical of Portuguese cuisine.
– He cancelled last minute. That’s so typical of him.

about

This is often used for thoughts and feelings.

happy/pleased about (something)
– They’re pleased about the news.
angry/furious/annoyed/upset about (something)
– He was angry about not receiving an invitation.
sure/certain about (something/somebody)
– Are you certain about that?
– I’m not sure about her new boyfriend. He doesn’t seem very trustworthy.
sorry about (something)
– Sorry about the mess. (apology)
– I’m so sorry about your dog. (sympathy)
excited about (something)
– Sandra’s excited about the trip.
serious about (something/somebody)
– She’s serious about her career.
– James is serious about Erica and is considering proposing.
worried about (something/somebody)
– I’m worried about the exam.
– We’re worried about Natalie because she hasn’t come to work for several days.
nervous about (something)
– Dan is nervous about the interview.

with

This is often used for emotions and interactions.

happy/pleased with (something/somebody)
– I’m happy with the results.
– Our new colleague works hard, and our boss is very pleased with her.
angry/furious/annoyed/upset with (somebody)
– She was angry with me for arriving late.
impressed with (something)
– We were impressed with his English.
satisfied with (something/somebody)
– They’re satisfied with the sales figures.
– We’re very satisfied with the new trainee.
busy with (something/somebody)
– He’s busy with his homework.
– Liam is currently busy with a customer.
familiar with (something)
– Are you familiar with this app?
crowded with (something/somebody)
– The desk is crowded with files.
– The train station was crowded with football fans.
Note: We say “full of football fans”.

This is often used for ability or reactions.

angry/furious/annoyed/upset at (something/somebody)
– It wasn’t anybody’s fault, but I was annoyed at the situation.
– She was angry at me for telling George her secret.
good at (something)
– She’s good at languages.
bad at (something)
– I’m bad at remembering names.

for

This is often used for emotions, purpose, suitability and reasons.

happy/pleased for (somebody)
– I heard that you found a job. I’m so happy for you!
sorry for (something/somebody)
– I’m sorry for calling so late. (apology)
– I feel sorry for him. (sympathy)
– I’m sorry for your loss. (sympathy)
Note: We also say “sorry about”, but in some instances, we need to use “for”. For example, we always use “for” with “feel sorry”, and in the phrase “sorry for your loss”, which we say when somebody has died.
good for (something/somebody)
– This exercise is good for your back.
– Spending too much time inside isn’t good for me.
bad for (something/somebody)
– Smoking is bad for your health.
– Eating too much sugar is bad for you.
famous for (something)
– The city is famous for its museums.
responsible for (something/somebody)
– She’s responsible for the project.
– Who is responsible for this child?
suitable for (something/somebody)
– Are these clothes suitable for a job interview?
– This toy is suitable for children under 5.

This is often used for behaviours, attitudes and relationships.

nice/kind/good to (somebody)
– He was very nice to me when I arrived.
Note: We can also use “kind to” with animals and some things.
– She’s always kind to animals.
polite to (somebody)
– I try to be polite to people, even when I’m in a bad mood.
rude to (somebody)
– He lost his job because he was rude to customers.
generous to (somebody)
– Julia is very generous to her friends.
friendly to (somebody)
– We’re always friendly to our neighbours.
important to (somebody)
– This friendship is important to me.
similar to (something/somebody)
– I almost took your bag because it is very similar to mine.
– I’m similar to my mother in that regard.
different to (something/somebody)
– The book is very different to the TV series.
– You’re quite different to your friend.
Note: “Different to” is common in British English and “different than” is common in American English. “Different from” (same meaning) is also commonly used in both British and American English.
married to (somebody)
– He’s married to a dentist.

This is often used for subjects or involvement.

interested in (something/somebody)
– I’m interested in architecture.
– He’s interested in the writer Jane Austen. (general interest)
– I think she’s interested in Taylor. (probably a romantic interest)
involved in (something)
– We aren’t involved in the project.
skilled in (something)
– She’s skilled in negotiation.
rich in (something)
– Oranges are rich in vitamin C.
similar in (something)
– The students in the class were similar in age.

This is often used for dependence and conditions.

keen on (something/somebody)
– Frank isn’t keen on early nights.
– I’m not keen on the Rolling Stones. (general interest)
– Do you think he’s keen on Rachel? (probably a romantic interest)
dependent on (something/somebody)
– The success of the event is very dependent on the weather.
– I’m still financially dependent on my parents.
reliant on (something/somebody)
– Many people are reliant on public transport to get to work.
– She doesn’t want to be so reliant on her family.
based on (something)
– The movie is based on a true story.
intent on (something)
– They’re intent on finishing the work today.
hard on (something/somebody)
– Reading in the dark is hard on the eyes.
– Don’t be too hard on yourself.

Prepositions of Place: In, On, At →

Kahoot Quiz – Adjectives and Prepositions

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Let’s look at which prepositions follow certain adjectives in English.

Prepositions of Place: In, On, At →

Kahoot Quiz – Adjectives and Prepositions

Preposition Exercises

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