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 (434 votes)

Submitted by lima9795 on Tue, 15/09/2020 - 22:19

Permalink
Dear BC, what is the difference b/w afraid of and afraid for ..particularly in afraid for life phrase??
Profile picture for user Jonathan R

Submitted by Jonathan R on Wed, 16/09/2020 - 04:10

In reply to by lima9795

Permalink

Hi lima9795,

Good question. Here are the options:

  1. afraid of + the thing that makes you feel afraid (e.g. I'm afraid of spiders.)
  2. afraid for + a person or thing who you worry about (e.g. Her job is very dangerous. I'm afraid for her.)
  3. afraid for + a time period (e.g. I was afraid for a moment.)

 

About afraid for life, it could be number 3, meaning afraid for the rest of his/her life. Or, it could be number 2, but we need to add the possessive adjective, e.g. He was afraid for his life. / They were afraid for their lives.

 

Best wishes,

Jonathan

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by SergeySSSS on Sun, 13/09/2020 - 06:37

Permalink
I think that preposition often used in a sentence.
Profile picture for user Elhamshojaei

Submitted by Elhamshojaei on Thu, 10/09/2020 - 09:50

Permalink
Hi everybody. I'm new here and excited about it.

Hi Elhamshojaei,

Welcome :) We hope you enjoy your English learning here.

Best wishes,

Jonathan

The LearnEnglish Team

Profile picture for user Rafaela1

Submitted by Rafaela1 on Sun, 06/09/2020 - 12:41

Permalink
This page is useful, thank you!

Submitted by wahbi on Sun, 06/09/2020 - 06:31

Permalink
It is good for me when i read hardly

Submitted by R.SYC on Tue, 25/08/2020 - 18:54

Permalink
Hello, Is it correct to say someone is "good in" something or doing something? If it is correct, when should I use "in" or "at"? Cheers.
Profile picture for user Peter M.

Submitted by Peter M. on Wed, 26/08/2020 - 08:12

In reply to by R.SYC

Permalink

Hello R.SYC,

The normal preposition when describing an activity is at, not in: good at sport, good at drawing etc.

 

There are some fixed expressions using good in, but these refer to places were activities take place: good in class, good in meetings etc.

 

You can also say good with when talking about people or  items: good with computers, good with animals, good with children etc.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team