Adjective with Preposition

Adjective with Preposition

In English grammar, it's sometimes hard to remember which preposition is used with which adjective. The list below is a
handy reference for the more common adjectives.

afraid of ill with something

"I'm afraid of heights." "She's ill with the flu."
--also scared of, frightened of
nice to someone
angry about something "Be nice to him he's had a bad day."
"She was angry about the new rules at work."
polite to someone
angry with someone "The policeman was very polite to me."
"He was angry with his son for coming home late."
ready to do something
bad at something "I'm ready to start work now."
"The student was bad at Geography."
--also good at ready for something / someone
"It takes me an hour to get the children ready for
crazy about something school."
"She was crazy about the Spice Girls and had all their
CD's." responsible for something / someone
"She felt responsible for her children."
different from or to something / someone
"The English are different from the Americans." tired from doing something (physically tired)
"I'm tired from all this hard work."
happy to do something --also exhausted from
"She was happy to help."
--also glad to and pleased to tired with or of something (fed up, bored with)
"She was tired of taking the train to work every day and
happy for someone decided to drive instead."
"I was happy for him when he passed his exam."
--also pleased for typical of someone
"It's typical of her to do that for you she always offers
happy with someone / something to help."
"The boss was happy with his work."
--also pleased with and satisfied with

English Grammar Tip

N.B.: The secret of remembering the right preposition in English grammar is through practice. Try to use them as much as
possible and you'll soon be saying them without having to think.
 Adjective with Preposition

Adjective with Preposition Examples use, rules & test exercise

1. List of common adjectives and the prepositions that normally follow them

accustomed to afraid of answerable to attached to

aware of capable of dependent on different to
doubtful about enthusiastic about excited about famous for
fond of guilty of interested in keen on
opposed to pleased with popular with proud of
related to rich in satisfied with serious about
similar to suitable for suspicious of used to (= accustomed to)

2. Some adjectives can be followed by either of two or more prepositions

annoyed about something The Ministry was annoyed about criticism in the paper

annoyed with someone They were annoyed with us for charging them

good/bad at something Im very bad at mathematics.

good/bad for something The expected cut in interest will be good for industry.

good/bad with something She should be in Marketing. Shes very good with customers.

responsible to someone The Export Manager is responsible to the Sales Director.

responsible for something He is responsible for preparing handouts.

sorry about something I am sorry about the job. Its a shame you didnt get it.

sorry for doing something He said he was sorry for keeping me waiting.

(feel) sorry for someone I feel very sorry for Peter. He has been fired.

3. These combinations of adjectives with prepositions may be followed by noun or noun phrase.

The students were very excited about the results of the experiment.

4. When followed by a verb, the -ing form must be used.

Please let me know whether you would be interested in arranging a meeting

Adjective + Preposition Challenges

Now test your knowledge of adjective + preposition combinations. Take a look at these common adjectives and choose
the prepositions that normally follow them. It's not easy to remember which preposition is used with which adjective -
practice exercises like this are the best way to learn. When you have finished, write your own example sentences using
the correct adjective + preposition combinations. When you have finished each exercise, check above or use a dictionary!
 Adjective with Preposition

Adjective + Preposition Challenge 1

1. If you are serious ________ going ahead with this,
let's have a meeting.
2. The Mini-TV is very popular ________ our younger
customers.
3. The new Pilot notebook is similar ________ the
previous model, but it has some interesting new
features.
4. The Finance Director said he was strongly opposed
________ awarding everyone a tax refund.
5. South Africa is rich ________ natural resources like
diamonds and gold.
6. I have to travel by car or boat because I am afraid
________ flying.
7. He has very little experience. I don't think he would be
capable ________ running such a large project.
8. I would be very interested ________ discussing the
idea of a joint venture.
9. Samsung are famous ________ their electronic goods.
10. I am very proud ________ my younger sister.
11. We are pleased ________ the results.
12. I'm not sure if he is aware ________ all the facts.
13. I am answerable ________ my supervisor at work.
14. There was a photograph attached ________ the e-
mail.
15. We are enthusiastic ________ learning English.

Adjective + Preposition Challenge 2

1 - I'm not enthusiastic ___ fishing, but I'll come anyway. 6 - He looks mean, but he's capable ___ great generosity.
to at
Sentence Sentence
with of
about for
in to

2 - We were all pleased ___ our exam results. 7 - Can you recommend a book that's suitable ___ her.
to for
Sentence Sentence
in by
with about
of in

3 - Malta is famous ___ its great weather. 8 - Tom is hopeless ___ remembering birthdays.
about at
Sentence Sentence
to for
for in
at to

4 - Although we look the same, she's not related ___ me. 9 - Her dress is very similar ___ mine.
about to
Sentence Sentence
to of
for from
by about

5 - We've become very attached ___ this house. We don't 10 - The streets were crowded ___ people.
want to move. to
about Sentence
at
Sentence
at about
in with
to