Adjectives & Prepositions with Explanations in English Grammar

Adjectives and prepositions are integral components of the English language, often appearing together as adjective-preposition collocations. These pairings are crucial for expressing ideas accurately and naturally in English, and they are frequently used in both writing and speaking.

In this article, we will delve into the most common adjective-preposition collocations in English, their applications, and examples of their usage. Understanding these collocations can significantly enhance learners’ ability to communicate effectively and fluently in English.

Adjective-preposition collocations are combinations where an adjective and a preposition are used together to describe or modify a noun or pronoun. These pairings are often idiomatic, meaning their combined meaning cannot be easily inferred from the individual words. For instance, the adjective “interested” typically pairs with the preposition “in” to form “interested in,” which conveys a sense of curiosity or concern about something. Other examples include “dependent on,” “famous for,” “similar to,” “afraid of,” and “good at.”

List of useful (adjective + preposition) collocations with simple sentences in English.

• Accustomed to: She is accustomed to the cold weather.
• Accused of: He was accused of stealing.
• Addicted to: John is addicted to coffee.
• Afraid of: She is afraid of spiders.
• Angry about/with: They are angry about the decision.
• Annoyed about/with/at: She was annoyed with the noise.
• Allergic to: He is allergic to peanuts.
• Amazed at/by: She was amazed by the fireworks.
• Anxious about/to: He is anxious about the exam.
• Appreciated for: She was appreciated for her hard work.
• Ashamed of: He felt ashamed of his mistake.
• Associated with: The symptoms are associated with the flu.
• Astonished at/by: They were astonished by the results.
• Attached to: She is very attached to her pet.
• Aware of: He is aware of the risks.
• Bad at: She is bad at drawing.
• Based on: The movie is based on a true story.
• Beneficial to: Exercise is beneficial to health.
• Bored with: He is bored with the routine.
• Brilliant at: She is brilliant at math.
• Busy with: He is busy with work.
• Capable of: She is capable of solving the problem.
• Careful with/about/of: Be careful with that vase.
• Comfortable with/in: She feels comfortable in her new job.
• Connected to: The device is connected to the internet.
• Conscious of: He is conscious of his appearance.
• Content with: She is content with her life.
• Crazy about: He is crazy about football.
• Cruel to: She was cruel to the stray cat.
• Crowded with: The beach was crowded with people.
• Confronted with: She was confronted with a difficult choice.
• Curious about: He is curious about space.
• Doubtful about: She is doubtful about his honesty.
• Delighted at: They were delighted at the news.
• Derived from: The word is derived from Latin.
• Different from: This painting is different from the others.
• Disappointed with: He was disappointed with the service.
• Eager for: She is eager for the trip.
• Eligible for: He is eligible for the scholarship.
• Enthusiastic about: She is enthusiastic about the project.
• Excellent at: He is excellent at playing the guitar.
• Excited about: She is excited about the concert.
• Experienced in: He is experienced in software development.
• Exposed to: They were exposed to the virus.
• Fascinated by: She is fascinated by ancient history.
• Fed up with: He is fed up with the delays.
• Free of/from: The area is free of pollution.
• Frightened of: The child is frightened of the dark.
• Friendly with: She is friendly with her neighbors.
• Fond of: He is fond of classical music.
• Furious about: She is furious about the mistake.
• Furnished with: The room is furnished with antique furniture.
• Full of: The box is full of toys.
• Generous with: He is generous with his time.
• Guilty of/about: She felt guilty about the accident.
• Gentle with: Be gentle with the baby.
• Good at: He is good at chess.
• Grateful to: She is grateful to her teacher.

See More “Compound Adjectives”

• Happy about: He is happy about the promotion.
• Hopeful of/about: She is hopeful of winning the contest.
• Identical to: The twins are identical to each other.
• Immune to: He is immune to the disease.
• Impressed with: She is impressed with his skills.
• Inferior to: This product is inferior to the other brand.
• Indifferent to: He is indifferent to the outcome.
• Jealous of: She is jealous of her friend’s success.
• Kind to: Be kind to animals.
• Keen on: She is keen on learning French.
• Limited to: The offer is limited to new customers.
• Lucky at/with: He is lucky with finding parking spots.
• Mad at/about: She is mad at her brother.
• Married to: She is married to a doctor.
• Nervous of/about: He is nervous about the interview.
• Notorious for: The restaurant is notorious for bad service.
• Opposed to: She is opposed to the new policy.
• Optimistic about: He is optimistic about the future.
• Patient with: She is patient with her students.
• Pessimistic about: He is pessimistic about the results.
• Pleased with: She is pleased with the outcome.
• Polite to: Be polite to your elders.
• Popular with: The singer is popular with teenagers.
• Presented with: He was presented with an award.
• Proud of: She is proud of her achievements.
• Punished for: He was punished for cheating.
• Puzzled by/about: She was puzzled by the question.
• Qualified for: He is qualified for the job.
• Ready for: She is ready for the test.
• Related to: He is related to the famous actor.
• Responsible for: She is responsible for the project.
• Sad about: He is sad about the news.
• Sensitive to/about: She is sensitive to criticism.
• Serious about: He is serious about his career.
• Sick of: She is sick of the noise.
• Similar to: This dress is similar to that one.
• Shocked by/at: They were shocked by the news.
• Skillful at: She is skillful at painting.
• Slow at: He is slow at running.
• Sorry for/about: She is sorry for the inconvenience.
• Successful at/in: He is successful in his business.
• Suitable for: This book is suitable for children.
• Sure of/about: She is sure of her decision.
• Superior to: This model is superior to the old one.
• Surprised at/by: He was surprised by the gift.
• Suspicious of: She is suspicious of strangers.
• Sympathetic with: He is sympathetic with the victims.
• Talented at: She is talented at singing.
• Terrible at: He is terrible at cooking.
• Terrified of: She is terrified of heights.
• Tired of: He is tired of waiting.
• Thankful to/for: She is thankful for the support.
• Typical of: This behavior is typical of him.
• Upset about: She is upset about the argument.
• Used to: He is used to the noise.

Adjective And Preposition Combinations In English With Examples

List of adjectives+prepositions collocations with simple example sentences.

Adjectives+Prepositions that start with “OF“

• Afraid of: She is afraid of heights.
• Ashamed of: He felt ashamed of his behavior.
• Aware of: She is aware of the rules.
• Capable of: He is capable of lifting heavy weights.
• Certain of: She is certain of her decision.
• Conscious of: He is conscious of his health.
• Envious of: She is envious of her friend’s new car.
• Independent of: He is independent of his parents.
• Jealous of: She is jealous of her sister’s achievements.
• Proud of: He is proud of his team.
• Silly of: It was silly of him to forget the keys.
• Typical of: This is typical of her behavior.

Adjectives+Prepositions that start with “FOR“

• Eager for: She is eager for the weekend.
• Eligible for: He is eligible for the promotion.
• Famous for: The city is famous for its food.
• Grateful for: She is grateful for the support.
• Notorious for: The area is notorious for its traffic.
• Prepared for: He is prepared for the test.
• Ready for: She is ready for the interview.
• Renowned for: The chef is renowned for his desserts.
• Responsible for: She is responsible for the project.
• Respected for: He is respected for his honesty.
• Suitable for: This book is suitable for children.
• Thankful for: She is thankful for the opportunity.

Adjectives+Prepositions that start with “WITH“

• Associated with: This symbol is associated with peace.
• Bored with: He is bored with the routine.
• Blessed with: She is blessed with a beautiful voice.
• Confronted with: They were confronted with a difficult choice.
• Crowded with: The mall is crowded with shoppers.
• Delighted with: She is delighted with her new job.
• Disappointed with: He is disappointed with the results.
• Fed up with: She is fed up with the delays.
• Familiar with: He is familiar with the area.
• Pleased with: She is pleased with her performance.
• Popular with: The park is popular with families.
• Satisfied with: He is satisfied with his grades.

Adjectives+Prepositions that start with “TO“

• Attracted to: She is attracted to the new design.
• Accustomed to: He is accustomed to waking up early.
• Addicted to: She is addicted to chocolate.
• Allergic to: He is allergic to pollen.
• Indifferent to: She is indifferent to the criticism.
• Kind to: He is kind to animals.
• Married to: She is married to a doctor.
• Receptive to: He is receptive to new ideas.
• Related to: She is related to the famous author.
• Similar to: This song is similar to the one I heard.
• Superior to: This brand is superior to the others.
• Unfriendly to: He was unfriendly to the new student.

Adjectives+Prepositions that start with “ABOUT“

• Angry about: She is angry about the situation.
• Anxious about: He is anxious about the test.
• Enthusiastic about: She is enthusiastic about the project.
• Excited about: He is excited about the trip.
• Furious about: She is furious about the delay.
• Happy about: He is happy about the news.
• Nervous about: She is nervous about the meeting.
• Pessimistic about: He is pessimistic about the outcome.
• Sad about: She is sad about moving away.
• Serious about: He is serious about his career.
• Upset about: She is upset about the argument.
• Worried about: He is worried about his health.

Adjectives+Prepositions that start with “IN“

• Comfortable in: She is comfortable in her new home.
• Connected in: They are connected in business.
• Disappointed in: He is disappointed in the results.
• Experienced in: She is experienced in teaching.
• Interested in: He is interested in history.
• Polite/impolite in: She was polite in her response.
• Present in: He is present in the meeting.
• Skilled in: She is skilled in negotiation.
• Slow in: He is slow in understanding jokes.
• Successful in: She is successful in her career.
• Talented in: He is talented in music.

Adjectives+Prepositions that start with “BY“

• Amazed by: She is amazed by the view.
• Delighted by: He is delighted by the surprise.
• Disturbed by: She is disturbed by the news.
• Excited by: He is excited by the challenge.
• Fascinated by: She is fascinated by space.
• Impressed by: He is impressed by her dedication.
• Inspired by: She is inspired by the story.
• Astonished by: He is astonished by the discovery.
• Shocked by: She is shocked by the accident.
• Surprised by: He is surprised by the results.

Adjectives+Prepositions that start with “FROM“

• Made from: The cake is made from flour and eggs.
• Different from: His opinion is different from mine.
• Safe from: The children are safe from harm.
• Absent from: She was absent from the meeting.
• Free from: The area is free from pollution.

Adjectives+Prepositions that start with “ON“

• Keen on: She is keen on playing tennis.
• Based on: The movie is based on a true story.

Adjectives+Prepositions that start with “AT”

• Amazed at: She is amazed at his skills.
• Angry at: He is angry at his friend.
• Annoyed at: She is annoyed at the noise.
• Awful at: He is awful at dancing.
• Bad at: She is bad at math.
• Brilliant at: He is brilliant at chess.
• Clever at: She is clever at solving puzzles.
• Delighted at: He is delighted at the news.
• Disappointed at: She is disappointed at the results.
• Excellent at: He is excellent at sports.
• Excited at: She is excited at the opportunity.
• Good at: He is good at drawing.
• Hopeless at: She is hopeless at singing.
• Mad at: He is mad at his brother.
• Present at: She was present at the event.
• Terrible at: He is terrible at cooking.

Tips for Mastering Adjective-Preposition Collocations

Improving your English skills significantly involves mastering adjective-preposition collocations, as these phrases are essential for fluent and accurate communication. Here are some effective strategies to help you learn and practice these collocations:

• Engage with Authentic Content: Immerse yourself in real-life materials like articles, books, and conversations. Pay attention to how native speakers naturally use these collocations. Note the contexts in which they appear, helping you understand their correct usage. Keep a journal to record these collocations and look for patterns or frequent pairings.
• Use Flashcards: Create flashcards with the adjective on one side and the corresponding preposition on the other. Regularly review these flashcards to enhance memory retention. This method provides an easy way to test yourself and measure your progress in mastering each collocation.
• Practice Exercises: Utilize various online resources that offer practice materials for adjective-preposition collocations. Look for quizzes, worksheets, and interactive activities designed to target these specific language skills. Consistent practice with these exercises can help reinforce your learning.
• Group Study and Peer Learning: Study with others to create a dynamic and engaging learning environment. Explaining collocations to your peers can reinforce your own understanding, while hearing others’ perspectives can introduce you to new pairings and usages. Collaborative learning often makes the process more enjoyable and effective.
• Incorporate Collocations into Daily Use: Practice using collocations in both written and spoken communication. This will help solidify your knowledge and make their usage more natural. Aim to include the learned collocations in your conversations and writing regularly, as frequent practice will lead to perfection.

By applying these strategies, you can effectively learn adjective-preposition collocations, enhancing your fluency and accuracy in English. Remember, consistent practice and exposure are key to mastering these essential phrases.

FAQs about Adjectives and Prepositions

What are adjective-preposition collocations?

Adjective-preposition collocations are specific combinations of adjectives and prepositions that are commonly used together in the English language. These combinations often follow set patterns and are essential for achieving fluency and accuracy in English.

Why is it important to learn adjective-preposition collocations?

Learning adjective-preposition collocations is crucial because they are frequently used in everyday communication. Understanding these collocations helps improve your overall language proficiency, making your speech and writing more natural and accurate.

How can I effectively learn adjective-preposition collocations?

To effectively learn adjective-preposition collocations, you can:

• Engage with authentic content like books, articles, and conversations.
• Use flashcards to reinforce memory retention.
• Practice with online quizzes and worksheets.
• Study with peers to gain different perspectives.
• Incorporate collocations into daily communication.

What are some common adjective-preposition collocations?

Some common adjective-preposition collocations include:

• Afraid of
• Interested in
• Good at
• Known for
• Responsible for

Are there any patterns or rules for adjective-preposition collocations?

While there are no strict rules, there are patterns and common pairings that you can learn. Exposure to authentic language use and practice can help you recognize and remember these patterns.

Can I use flashcards to learn adjective-preposition collocations?

Yes, flashcards are an excellent tool for learning adjective-preposition collocations. Write the adjective on one side and the preposition on the other side. Review them regularly to enhance your memory retention.

Where can I find practice materials for adjective-preposition collocations?

You can find practice materials on various educational websites, language learning platforms, and online forums. Look for quizzes, worksheets, and interactive exercises specifically designed for adjective-preposition collocations.

How can group study help in learning adjective-preposition collocations?

Group study provides a fun and interactive learning environment. Explaining collocations to peers reinforces your understanding, and hearing different perspectives can introduce you to new pairings and usage ideas.

How often should I practice adjective-preposition collocations?

Regular practice is key to mastering adjective-preposition collocations. Try to incorporate them into your daily routine, using them in both written and spoken communication as often as possible.

Can learning adjective-preposition collocations improve my writing skills?

Yes, mastering adjective-preposition collocations can significantly improve your writing skills. It helps make your writing more precise and natural, enhancing the overall quality of your texts.