Adjectives and prepositions

Some adjectives need a preposition to complete their meaning, and different prepositions can give them different meanings. Here is how we use some very common ones:

• about – We use about to show the subject of a feeling.
Example: She is excited about the trip. (The trip is the reason for her excitement.)

• at – We use at to show a reaction to something.
Example: They are angry at the noise. (They react to the noise.)

• of – We use of to show a quality or a feeling towards someone/something.
Example: She is proud of her son. (Her son makes her proud.)

• to – We use to to show a relationship or attitude towards a person/thing.
Example: This is similar to my idea. (It has a relationship of similarity.)

• for – We use for to show a purpose or a reason.
Example: This exercise is good for your health. (It benefits your health.)

• in – We use in to show a situation or state.
Example: He is successful in business. (His success is inside the field of business.)

Tip: It’s very useful to learn the adjective together with its preposition (like afraid of, good at), because the preposition is part of the meaning of the adjectives.