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
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
Hello English learning team,
I am a primary English learner without a director and thank you for your work Grammar helps me to learn by myself during the pandemic period. because it is not very convenient to make an appointment with a personal director in a public area or home for study. this website gives me a direction to learning English, I also have brought a grammar book to assist me when I don't know the explanation as I am an Asian learner whose brain consideration mode is different from you(English learning team). the Asian editor can explain this concept in my mother language which will be easy to understand this concept for me, like the lesson (to+ing or to+ verb), which is pretty difficult for me.
whatever, I just want to say thank you for your hard work which give me a completed and systemic program to learn English.
HEI
primary English learner
Hello Hei,
Thanks very much for your comment! We're really pleased to hear that LearnEnglish has helped you so much.
Best wishes,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
Are you from China?
Explained well and test has been useful. Thank you.
Very useful for understanding and reviewing myself how to use adjectives with prepositions.this is very basic but I almost forgot sometime.
I think it is basic and easy to understand. I take note all of these sentences and try to practice them more often when I speak to foreigners.
Thanks so much!
I really appreciate your exercises
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.
I like this.
This exercise are good for me. I'm appreciate.