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)
Profile picture for user Peter M.

Submitted by Peter M. on Thu, 25/06/2020 - 07:20

In reply to by muratt

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Hi muratt,

There are a number of things to correct there:

I am at home cooking with my mother in the kitchen.

A friend of mine is waiting for me at home.

I am in the house cooking with my mother in the kitchen.

A friend of mine is waiting for me at the house.

 

At home can describe a person inside the house or flat or nearby. At the house is similar, though it usually means nearby/outside.

In the house means inisde the building.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Hi Last question? Would these be correct? --There are no dusts bins at my house. Assuming if I have no dust bins just in front of my house. --We need to install an alarm at your house. E.g. if we install an alarm around the house including the garden but not inside.
Profile picture for user Peter M.

Submitted by Peter M. on Fri, 26/06/2020 - 06:39

In reply to by muratt

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Hi muratt,

Both sentences are fine. 

There's often a choice of preposition, depending on what the speaker wants to emphasise.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Syazana on Wed, 24/06/2020 - 14:43

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i learnt something new as my grammar is not that good
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Submitted by ROBERTORIVAS on Mon, 22/06/2020 - 22:30

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Well, I really like this site. I'm not so good at writing but I have already remembered mire about prepositions.

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