ADJECTIVE + PREPOSITION

COMBINATIONS

 There are many cases in which adjectives are

combined with prepositions – but there is no rule
stating when to use which combination. As you
read and listen to more English, you will become
more and more familiar with how these adjective-
prepositions combinations are used.

 Here are a few of the most common combinations

of adjectives and prepositions in English:
 AT – SURPRISED AT, ANGRY AT,
GOOD AT, TERRIBLE AT

•I’m surprised at how fast my students are

learning.
•My mother is angry at me because I
forgot her birthday.
•Jane is good at songwriting and painting.
•He’s terrible at math – he failed the class
twice!
 OF  – PROUD OF, AFRAID OF,
FOND OF, FULL OF

•You practiced a lot and gave a great

performance – I’m proud of you!
•Jewell is afraid of swimming in the ocean.
•The kids are very fond of the puppy.
•The mall is always full of teenagers on the
weekend.
 WITH – SATISFIED WITH, BUSY
WITH, FED UP WITH, ASSOCIATED
WITH

•I wasn’t satisfied with the customer service

at the bank.
•We’ve been working overtime lately because
we’ve been busy with a new project.
•I was fed up with my boyfriend’s lies, so I
ended the relationship.
•There are many health risks associated
with smoking.
 IN – DISAPPOINTED IN, SKILLED IN,
INTERESTED IN, INVOLVED IN

•The teacher was disappointed in the behavior of

the class.
•She was highly skilled in physics and chemistry.
•Giovanni is interested in classic English literature.
•Marlene is very involved in volunteer work.

*Notice that in can have a similar function to at. Ex) She’s skilled

at soccer. She’s skilled in playing soccer.
 FOR – KNOWN FOR, GOOD FOR,
TERRIBLE FOR, EXCELLENT FOR

•Brazil is known for its wonderful music and

friendly people.
•Chocolate and red wine are actually good
for your heart!
•Looking at screens all day is bad for your
eyesight.
•Playing memory games is excellent for
improving your brain function
 TO – MARRIED TO,
FRIENDLY TO, SIMILAR TO,
RUDE TO

•He’s married to an Australian woman.

•Everyone I met on the trip was friendly
to me.
•The movie is very similar to the book.
•The little boy was punished after
being rude to his grandfather.
 EXERCISE 13

ADJECTIVE AND
PREPOSITION
COMBINATION 1

PAGE 34
preoccupied – involved in, interested in
well-versed – skilled, highly experienced
afraid – frightened, scared
obedient – good, dutiful
short – lack, not enough
allergic – sensitive
ignorant – insensitive
fed up – annoyed, unhappy, bored
anxious – worried, concerned
indifferent – unconcerned about ,
uncaring about
 EXERCISE 14

ADJECTIVE AND
PREPOSITION
COMBINATION 2

PAGE 35
certain – sure, definite, confirmed
courageous – brave, bold
dependent – relying on
absent – away, not present
worried – concerned, anxious
relevant – suitable, proper
undecided – unsure, doubtful
parallel– side by side
furious – angry, violent
surprised – shocked, amazed
contented – satisfied, pleased