Adjectives and prepositions

Adjectives and prepositions

Do you know how to use adjectives with prepositions like interested in or similar to? Test what you know with interactive exercises and read the explanation to help you.

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

Grammar test 1: Adjectives and prepositions

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

Grammar test 2: Adjectives and prepositions

Average: 4.6 (284 votes)
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Submitted by hasnaa sakr on Thu, 19/10/2023 - 17:54

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I'm amazing at the talent acquisition part.
I'm intelligent at thinking out of the box.
I'm afraid about swimming.
I'm worried about his actions.
I'm excited about this opportunity.
I'm afraid of telling her the truth.
she is married to my manager.
your phone is similar to old my phone.
she's friendly to me.
she's helpful to me.

Submitted by phupd202 on Mon, 09/10/2023 - 08:11

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I'm good at Physics. / At
Vietnam famous for its Pho. / For
I'm so scared of watching horror film. /Of
She is nice to you so I think that she like me. /To
Now, I'm nervous about my final exam. I hope that result of the exam will be okay.
I was very interested in what you said yesterday.

Submitted by kimhanie_08 on Sun, 08/10/2023 - 14:56

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I'm good at English.
He's terrible at cooking.
My mother is angry about my test.
She is so sad about her love.
I'm scared of watching horror films.
Tom is proud of his son.
My sister is similar to me.
He's nice to me but I don't think it's the love.

Submitted by kevserk on Sun, 01/10/2023 - 22:46

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I am good at the theatre.
I am unstable about the new job.
I was scared of swimming.
I am addicted to you.
He was kind to me.
Toothpaste is good for teeth.
I am interested in new subject.

Submitted by arabi on Sun, 24/09/2023 - 10:21

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Now i can get my road to learn English language and sharing that with you .

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Submitted by JERRY ELEVEN on Thu, 21/09/2023 - 18:50

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Firstly is hard lesson.

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Submitted by oyo on Mon, 18/09/2023 - 14:11

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Submitted by Tuba.ba on Mon, 18/09/2023 - 13:01

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I'm excited about the new city.
He's interested in traveling.
I'm addicted to smartphone games.
She's terrible at swimming.
They're worried about slippery floors.
British Council is really good at teaching English.

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Submitted by mudassir_957 on Tue, 05/09/2023 - 12:20

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Messi is really good at football.