ADJECTIVES WITH PREPOSITIONS

ADJECTIVES WITH PREPOSITIONS

We often follow adjectives by prepositions (przyimki), for example:

BY

ABOUT

AT

IN

FROM

FOR

WITH

TO

OF

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. Remember that a preposition is followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form).

adjective + 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.

1. I was angry about the accident.
2. She's not happy about her new boss.
3. Are you nervous about the exam?
4. She's excited about the new job.

adjective + at

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

1. I'm rather bad at languages.
2. She's amazing at the piano.
3. They're terrible at organising.
4. She is brilliant at baking.

adjective + by

1. We were amazed by his performance.
2. We were all impressed by her enthusiasm.
3. The teacher was surprised by the student's question.
4. I've always been fascinated by his ideas.

adjective + for

1. Stress is bad for you.
2. You will be late for school if you don't hurry up.
3. I'm happy for you.
4. If Sarah is free for lunch, I will ask her out.

adjective + from

1. This cake is made from coconut.
2. This dress is completely different from the one you gave me.
3. The city is not safe from attack.
4. Is this material free from toxins?

adjective + in

1. She's interested in dancing.
2. He is very experienced in looking after animals.
3. I don't feel comfortable in high heels.
4. I'm disappointed in you. I thought I could trust you!

adjective + of

1. Are you afraid of the dark?
2. Were you aware of the risk at the time?
3. I'm not ashamed of what I did.
4. You are capable of better work than this.

adjective + to

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

1. Are you related to her?
2. I'm allergic to nuts.
3. She's married to her boss.

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

1. Was he nice to you?
2. I can't stand people who are cruel to animals.
3. She was very rude to the waitress.

adjective + with

1. You are blessed with many talents.
2. Are you familiar with these words?
3. You get bored with doing the same thing every day.
4. The kids are busy with their homework.

After some phrases we often use gerund <ing form>

keen on

hopeless at

fond of

good at

crazy about

afraid of

crazy about

bad at

brilliant at