Adjectives and prepositions

Adjectives and prepositions

Do you know how to use adjectives with prepositions like interested in or similar to? Test what you know with interactive exercises and read the explanation to help you.

Look at these examples to see how adjectives are used with prepositions.

I'm interested in the idea.
My jacket is similar to yours.
She's brilliant at maths.
My neighbour is angry about the party.

Try this exercise to test your grammar.

Grammar test 1

Grammar test 1: Adjectives and prepositions

Read the explanation to learn more.

Grammar explanation

Some adjectives go with certain prepositions. There are no grammatical rules for which preposition is used with which adjective, so it's a good idea to try to learn them together. To help you do this, write new vocabulary in your notebook in a sentence or phrase.

However, there are some patterns that can help you. Let's look at them first. Remember that a preposition is followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form).

With at

We use at with adjectives like good/bad/amazing/brilliant/terrible, etc. to talk about skills and abilities.

He's really good at English.
She's amazing at the piano.
They're terrible at organising anything.
I'm not very good at drawing.

With about

We often use about with adjectives of feelings like angry/excited/happy/nervous/sad/stressed/worried, etc. to explain what is causing that feeling.

I'm angry about the decision.
He's nervous about the presentation.
She's excited about the new job.
They were worried about the exam.

With of

However, sometimes we use of with feelings.

She was afraid of telling her mum.
I'm frightened of having an accident.
He's scared of flying.
You should be proud of your progress.

With to

We can use to to show the connection between people or things.

He's married to the director.
I'm addicted to my phone.
I'm allergic to nuts.
It's similar to the old one.

We can also use to to talk about someone's behaviour towards someone else.

They were really friendly to me.
Was he nice to you?
He is always polite to everyone.
She was very rude to the waitress.

Here are some other useful adjectives with prepositions.

With for

Exercise is good for you.
Stress is bad for you.
The town is famous for its cheese.
I'm responsible for the financial side of the business.

With in

She's interested in the project.
They want someone who's experienced in design.
I didn't want to get involved in the argument.

Do this exercise to test your grammar again.

Grammar test 2

Grammar test 2: Adjectives and prepositions

Average: 4.5 (317 votes)

Submitted by ISAACKWAKUOFOSU on Fri, 27/03/2020 - 00:52

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am very proud of my selfe

Submitted by Lal on Thu, 26/03/2020 - 13:42

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Hello Sir .1. He is taller than me. 2. He is taller than I. Please let me know which one is correct. I think we do not use an object pronoun after 'than' Thank you. Regards Lal
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Submitted by Kirk Moore on Thu, 26/03/2020 - 14:14

In reply to by Lal

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Hello Lal

There are many different opinions about this, but in my opinion, 'than me' is the correct form here. But many people say 'I' is better here.

If you put a verb after 'I', then only 'I' is correct -- 'than I am' is correct, and not 'than me am'. On this point, there is wide agreement.

All the best

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Tapiwa Mupanguri on Thu, 26/03/2020 - 13:01

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Great. This is wonderful.

Submitted by Othman Aligibaito on Thu, 26/03/2020 - 08:02

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Amizing, Thank you

Submitted by Povilas on Thu, 26/03/2020 - 00:01

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Very interesting learning different languages, same time studying, always meet new people, but most important thinks is communicate. Always found new friends, always have about something discuses.

Submitted by Canan on Wed, 25/03/2020 - 12:32

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The tasks were very helpful and the explanations were understandable.
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Submitted by a3009281507 on Fri, 20/03/2020 - 08:23

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it was very interesting for me

Submitted by rpikeri on Tue, 17/03/2020 - 20:51

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it was a difficult task. I need to memorize some of the given rules.

Submitted by Aye Thuzar on Tue, 17/03/2020 - 04:43

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Thanks,I am interested in about the lessons.