Some adjectives naturally “pair” with particular prepositions to express attitude, state, or relationship—afraid of, interested in, good at, and so on. These fixed pairings are common in clear, idiomatic English and often change the meaning if the preposition changes. Learning them as chunks helps writers avoid errors (different from, not different than in most dialects) and speak more fluently. The pattern is usually adjective + preposition + noun/gerund: happy about the results, proud of winning. Many adjectives accept more than one preposition with slight differences (angry at/with). Use the examples below as models; swap in your own nouns or –ing forms to practice.
Prepositions after adjectives — core list
| Adjective + Preposition | Example sentence |
|---|---|
| accused of | He was accused of a crime. |
| accustomed to | She’s accustomed to a life of luxury. |
| acquainted with | I’m acquainted with him. |
| addicted to | He’s addicted to gambling. |
| afraid of | The child is afraid of dogs. |
| agreeable to | We’re agreeable to the idea. |
| aggrieved at | She felt aggrieved at not being selected. |
| alarmed at/by | We were alarmed at/by his worsening condition. |
| amazed at | The doctors were amazed at his rapid recovery. |
| amazed by | I was amazed by the performance. |
| angry with (person) | She’s angry with her brother. |
| angry at (thing) | He’s angry at the decision. |
| annoyed about/by | I’m annoyed about the delay / annoyed by his carelessness. |
| annoyed with | She’s annoyed with him for not calling. |
| appreciative of | We’re appreciative of their support. |
| anxious about | He’s anxious about flying. |
| ashamed of | You should be ashamed of yourself. |
| astonished by | We were astonished by his successive wins. |
| aware of | They’re aware of the dangers. |
| bad at | I’m bad at chess. |
| bad for | Too much sugar is bad for your health. |
| bored with | She’s bored with her job. |
| busy with | He’s busy with his work. |
| capable of | She’s capable of murder in the script. |
| certain about | I’m certain about what he said. |
| certain of | She’s certain of how much she put in. |
| clever at | He’s clever at knitting. |
| clever with | She’s clever with her hands. |
| clever of (+ person) | It was clever of him to hide early. |
| conscious of | We’re conscious of the need to act. |
| critical of | She’s critical of others. |
| crowded with | The streets were crowded with tourists. |
| delighted with | He’s delighted with the present. |
| dependent on | They’re dependent on their parents for food. |
| different from | They’re different from each other. |
| different to | Your idea is different to mine. |
| different in | They are different in their sizes. |
| disappointed with/in | I’m disappointed with your work / disappointed in you. |
| disappointed about | She’s disappointed about not being told. |
| disappointed at | He’s disappointed at not being invited. |
| disappointed to (+ verb) | I was disappointed to see him there. |
| engaged to | She’s engaged to a tall man. |
| envious of | He’s envious of her success. |
| excellent at | She’s excellent at speaking. |
| excited about | They’re excited about going on a boat trip. |
| excited at | Scientists were excited at the new discoveries. |
| excited by | He’s excited by the possibility of promotion. |
| famous for | The town is famous for its cheese. |
| famous as | She’s famous as a singer. |
| fed up with | I’m fed up with waiting. |
| fit for | He’s fit for the job. |
| fit to (+ verb) | She’s fit to look after old people. |
| fond of | She’s fond of her dog; he’s fond of swimming. |
| friendly to/towards | The staff are friendly to/towards visitors. |
| frightened of | She’s frightened of spiders. |
| full of | The essay is full of mistakes. |
| furious about/at/with | She’s furious about the delay / furious at the decision / furious with him for not calling. |
| generous to | They were generous to the kids. |
| generous of (+ person) | It was generous of you to contribute so much. |
| good at | He’s good at reading maps. |
| good for | Fruit is good for your health. |
| good of (+ person) | It was good of you to come. |
| happy about | I’m happy about riding a horse again. |
| happy with | I’m happy with my new car. |
| hopeless at | He’s hopeless at mathematics. |
| ill with | She’s ill with an infectious disease. |
| impressed with/by | We’re impressed with/by the quality. |
| incapable of | He’s incapable of passing the examination. |
| interested in | She’s interested in politics. |
| interested to (+ verb) | I’d be interested to know your idea. |
| jealous of | He’s jealous of his brother’s success. |
| keen on | She’s keen on photography. |
| kind of (+ person) | It was kind of you to help. |
| kind to | You’ve been kind to me. |
| married to | She’s married to a wealthy man. |
| nervous about | I’m nervous about my exams. |
| nervous of | He’s always nervous of rats. |
| nice of (+ person) | It was nice of you to help. |
| pleased about | We’re pleased about the results. |
| pleased with | He’s pleased with his new house. |
| pleased to (+ verb) | I’m pleased to see you here. |
| proud of | He’s proud of his new house / proud of winning. |
| quick at | She’s quick at writing / quick at losing her temper. |
| ready for | Are you ready for it? |
| responsible for | He’s responsible for the murder (in the plot). |
| scared of | I’m scared of dogs. |
| shocked at | We were shocked at their loss. |
| short of | We’re short of money. |
| similar to | His opinions are similar to mine. |
| sorry for | I feel sorry for him. |
| stupid of (+ person) | It was stupid of him to say that. |
| sure of | I’m sure of attending. |
| surprised at | We were surprised at her behaviour. |
| suspicious of/about | I’m suspicious of his intentions / suspicious about the timing. |
| terrified at | She was terrified at the possibility of meeting him. |
| terrified of | He’s terrified of heights. |
| tired of | I’m tired of hearing the same remark. |
| tolerant of | They’re tolerant of their son’s beliefs. |
| typical of | It’s typical of him to behave like that. |
| upset about/by/over | She’s upset about the disagreement / upset by the comment / upset over the loss. |
| used to | He’s used to traveling by night. |
| worried about | She’s worried about her exams. |
Prepositions after adjectives — additional list
| Adjective + Preposition | Example sentence |
|---|---|
| absorbed in | She was absorbed in her book. |
| easy of | He is easy of access (formal/literary). |
| loyal to | They remained loyal to their friends. |
| accessible to | The museum is accessible to all. |
| eligible for | She’s eligible for a grant. |
| mad with | He was mad with joy. |
| accomplished in | She’s accomplished in music. |
| envious of | He was envious of his rival. |
| mindful of | Be mindful of the risks. |
| accountable for/to | She’s accountable for results and accountable to the board. |
| equal to | He proved equal to the task. |
| moved by/to | We were moved by her story / moved to tears. |
| affectionate to | The cat is affectionate to its owner. |
| exposed to | Workers were exposed to the elements. |
| obedient to | The child is obedient to his parents. |
| akin to | This flavor is akin to vanilla. |
| fair at/on/to/with | She’s fair at chess / fair on price / fair to everyone / fair with money. |
| obliged to | I’m obliged to you for your help. |
| alien to | The idea is alien to our values. |
| faithful to | He stayed faithful to his promise. |
| overcrowded with | The room was overcrowded with boxes. |
| anxious for | We’re anxious for news. |
| false of/to | It was false of him to claim that / He was false to his word. |
| overwhelmed with/by | She’s overwhelmed with/by work. |
| applicable to | The rule is applicable to everyone. |
| familiar with | Are you familiar with the software? |
| partial to | I’m partial to dark chocolate. |
| associated with | Headaches are associated with stress. |
| fatigued with | He grew fatigued with the noise. |
| particular to | This habit is particular to that region. |
| bent on | She’s bent on winning. |
| free from | The product is free from additives. |
| previous to | Previous to 1990, laws were different. |
| blind in/to | He is blind in one eye / blind to the truth. |
| gifted at/in/with | She’s gifted at math / gifted in languages / gifted with a fine voice. |
| productive of | The policy proved productive of good results. |
| born to | He was born to wealthy parents. |
| glad about/of | I’m glad about the news / glad of the chance. |
| proficient in | She’s proficient in French. |
| bound to/for | It’s bound to rain / The ship is bound for Oman. |
| greedy for | They’re greedy for power. |
| radiant with | She was radiant with happiness. |
| careful about/of | Be careful about details / careful of your words. |
| guilty of | He was found guilty of theft. |
| ready for | We’re ready for launch. |
| careless about/of/with | He’s careless about deadlines / careless of the risks / careless with money. |
| hopeful of | I’m hopeful of success. |
| reduced to | They were reduced to silence. |
| common to | Traits common to both species. |
| ignorant of | He’s ignorant of the facts. |
| relative to | Costs relative to income. |
| compatible with | Is it compatible with iOS? |
| immaterial to | That detail is immaterial to the case. |
| relevant to | The data are relevant to our study. |
| competent for/in | She’s competent for the role / competent in coding. |
| immersed in | He’s immersed in research. |
| requisite for/to | Skills requisite for the job / requisite to success. |
| concentrated in/within | Power is concentrated in the capital / within a few firms. |
| impatient of | He is impatient of delay (formal). |
| resistant to | This crop is resistant to drought. |
| concerned about/in | We’re concerned about costs / concerned in the matter. |
| indifferent to | She’s indifferent to praise. |
| responsible to/for | He’s responsible to the manager / responsible for safety. |
| condemned to | They were condemned to life imprisonment. |
| indispensable to | Water is indispensable to life. |
| satisfied with | I’m satisfied with the answer. |
| confident of | We’re confident of victory. |
| indulgent to | Grandparents are often indulgent to children. |
| sensible of | I am sensible of your kindness (formal). |
| contrary to | Contrary to expectations, it worked. |
| infected with/by | She was infected with malaria / infected by a virus. |
| sensitive to | He’s sensitive to criticism. |
| cured of | She was cured of her allergy. |
| inferior to | This model is inferior to the new one. |
| shocked at | We were shocked at the news. |
| deprived of | They were deprived of sleep. |
| innocent of | He was innocent of all charges. |
| slow of | He is slow of speech (formal). |
| desirous of | She is desirous of peace (formal). |
| intent on | He’s intent on improvement. |
| steeped in | The town is steeped in history. |
| despairing of | They were despairing of success. |
| intimate with | She’s intimate with the system. |
| subordinate to | The unit is subordinate to HQ. |
| destitute of | He is destitute of hope (formal). |
| involved in | She’s involved in finance. |
| true to | He stayed true to his beliefs. |
| detrimental to | Smoking is detrimental to health. |
| lame in | He is lame in one leg. |
| veiled in | The scene was veiled in mist. |
| diffident of | She was diffident of her talents (formal). |
| lax in | They were lax in enforcement. |
| versed in | He’s versed in contract law. |
| disgusted in/with | I’m disgusted with the mess / disgusted in myself (rare). |
| level with | The water is level with the rim. |
| weak in | She’s weak in algebra. |
| dismissive of | He’s dismissive of criticism. |
| liable for/to | You’re liable for damages / liable to error. |
| worthy of | That act was worthy of praise. |
| earnest in | She’s earnest in her efforts. |
| lost to | The ship was lost to the storm. |
| zealous in | They were zealous in pursuit of justice. |
