Learn adjectives + prepositions with exercises

Do you know how to use adjectives with prepositions like afraid of or proud of? Enhance your knowledge with a lesson given below and the grammar explanation to guide you better.

Take a look at these examples to see how adjectives are paired with prepositions:

• He's afraid of spiders.

• I'm proud of my achievements.

• They're excited about the trip.

• She's famous for her paintings.

Grammar explanation – Adjectives and prepositions

Certain adjectives are commonly paired with specific prepositions, but there's no strict rule for which preposition goes with which adjective, so it's best to learn them together. To make this easier, try noting new vocabulary in your notebook using a sentence or phrase.

That said, there are some helpful patterns to be aware of. Let's explore those first. Keep in mind that prepositions are usually followed by a noun or a gerund (the -ing form).

1. With at

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

• He's brilliant at solving puzzles.

• She's really bad at cooking.

• They're amazing at photography.

• I'm terrible at singing.

2. 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 happy about the promotion.

• He's stressed about the upcoming deadlines.

• She's nervous about the interview.

• They were excited about the vacation plans.

3. With of

However, sometimes we use of with feelings.

• She was terrified of heights.

• I'm ashamed of my behaviour last night.

• He's proud of his team's success.

• You should be aware of the risks involved.

4. With to

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

• He's engaged to his high school sweetheart.

• I'm dedicated to my work.

• I'm allergic to shellfish.

• This book is similar to the one I read last month.

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

• They were really kind to me.

• Was he respectful to the teacher?

• He is always helpful to his colleagues.

• She was rude to the cashier.

Here are some other useful adjectives with prepositions

1. With for

• A healthy diet is good for your heart.

• Late nights are bad for your health.

• The city is known for its historical landmarks.

• I'm responsible for handling the client accounts.

2. With in

• She's deeply involved in the charity work.

• They need someone who's skilled in project management.

• I wasn't interested in the offer.

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