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 (437 votes)

Submitted by Pann Nilar Htun on Fri, 13/05/2022 - 09:37

Permalink

I really hate grammar.
But when I take a look to this lesson, It is amazing and interesting.
I am trying to familiar with all of those sentences.
Now grammar is the friend of mine.
Many thanks all of the teachers and BC.

Profile picture for user Marce-English

Submitted by Marce-English on Mon, 25/04/2022 - 19:21

Permalink

This exercise are good for me. I'm appreciate.

Submitted by SetarehS on Wed, 20/04/2022 - 17:01

Permalink

these grammar are very good for me.

Submitted by takayashu on Fri, 18/03/2022 - 17:19

Permalink

Please, where are the answers? Thank you.

Hello takayashu,

After you have entered your answers click 'Finish'. Next, choose 'Show feedback' too see your score and 'Show answers' to see the correct answers.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by SergeyPD on Fri, 18/03/2022 - 07:14

Permalink

thx for simple and understandable explanation

Submitted by nadyanightingale on Fri, 11/03/2022 - 20:06

Permalink

Great! I've done all these tests correctly. But it's still a little bit uneasy to tell the prepositions apart. So I think that the practice will help to memorise them.

Submitted by zubeir on Wed, 02/03/2022 - 17:54

Permalink

Wow! I got all the answers correct. I'm proud of myself and I believe that I can be good at English grammar.

Submitted by Yasmit_DUsuga on Fri, 04/02/2022 - 19:38

Permalink

I can say that the uses with About and Of are very similar and confusing to me.