Adjective–preposition Combinations

Adjectives are words that describe nouns or pronouns. Sometimes, certain adjectives are followed by prepositions to give more information about a person, thing, or situation. These combinations are called adjectives with prepositions. For example:

• She is interested in music.
• He is afraid of spiders.
• They are good at sports.

In English, using the correct preposition after an adjective is very important, because the meaning can change if you choose the wrong one. In this post, we will look at common adjectives with prepositions, give examples and plenty of exercises to memorise them better.

Adjectives with Prepositions

Be

• addicted to – залежний від
  She is addicted to social media.
• afraid of – боїться, наляканий чимось
  She is afraid of spiders.
• angry about – сердитий через / на рахунок
  She is angry about the delay.
• angry with – сердитий на когось
  He is angry with his brother.
• annoyed with – роздратований чимось / кимось
  I am annoyed with the noise.
• anxious about – стурбований, схвильований через
  He is anxious about the exam.
• appropriate for – відповідний для
  This movie is appropriate for children.
• ashamed of – соромиться чогось
  She is ashamed of her behavior.
• aware of – усвідомлює, знає про
  He is aware of the rules.
• bored with – нудьгує через / від
  I am bored with this show.
• capable of – здатний на
  He is capable of solving the problem.
• careful with – обережний з 
  Be careful with the glass.
• careful about – обережний у чомусь / уважний щодо чогось
  Be careful about what you say.  She is careful about her diet.
• committed to – відданий / прихильний до
  She is committed to her career.
• content with – задоволений чимось
  He is content with his life.
• curious about – цікавиться чимось
  The child is curious about animals.
• different from – відрізняється від
  This plan is different from the old one.
• disappointed with – розчарований чимось / кимось
  She is disappointed with the results.
• excited about – схвильований, радий через
  He is excited about the trip.
• familiar with – знайомий з
  I am familiar with this topic.
• famous for – відомий чимось
  The city is famous for its beaches.
• fond of – любить щось, захоплюється чимось
  She is fond of music.
• grateful for – вдячний за
  I am grateful for your support.
• guilty of – винен у
  He is guilty of cheating.
• harmful to – шкідливий для
  Smoking is harmful to your health.
• happy with / about – задоволена чимось / радіє чомусь
  She is happy with her progress.
• interested in – цікавиться чимось
  He is interested in science.
• keen on – захоплюється чимось, пристрасно любить
  She is keen on photography.
• kind to – добрий до
  The teacher is kind to students.
• married to – одружена / заміжня за
  She is married to a lawyer.
• nervous about – нервує через, схвильований через
  He is nervous about the interview.
• obsessed with – одержимий чимось
  He is obsessed with success.
• opposed to – проти, заперечують проти
  They are opposed to the plan.
• pleased with – задоволена чимось
  She is pleased with her work.
• proud of – горді за / чимось
  His parents are proud of him.
• ready for – готова до
  She is ready for the test.
• responsible for – відповідальний за
  He is responsible for the project.
• satisfied with – задоволена чимось
  She is satisfied with the service.
• scared of – боїться чогось / кого-небудь
  The child is scared of dogs.
• sensitive to – чутливий до
  He is sensitive to cold weather.
• shocked at / by – шокований чимось
  We were shocked by the news.
• similar in – схожі в чомусь
  The two cars are similar in size.
• similar to – схожий на
  Her dress is similar to mine.
• sorry for – шкодую про / перепрошую за
  I am sorry for the mistake.
• successful in – успішний у чомусь
  She is successful in business.
• surprised at / by – здивований чимось
  I was surprised by the gift.
• tired of – втомився від
  I am tired of waiting.
• worried about – хвилюється через
  She is worried about her health.

Have Practice in Using Adjectives with Prepositions

Exercise 1. Fill in the blanks. Write the correct preposition.

1. She is very proud ___ her academic success.
2. He felt ashamed ___ his behavior at the meeting.
3. This chemical is harmful ___ the environment.
4. I am not familiar ___ this software.
5. They are opposed ___ the new policy.
6. She was shocked ___ how rude he was.
7. He is capable ___ handling difficult situations.
8. I am tired ___ being treated unfairly.
9. She is anxious ___ the interview results.
10. He became addicted ___ online gaming.
11. The two designs are similar ___ style.
12. She is committed ___ improving her skills.

Exercise 2. Choose the correct preposition.

1. She is responsible (for / to / of) training new employees.
2. He was angry (with / about / of) the decision, not the person.
3. I am curious (of / about / for) how the machine works.
4. She is satisfied (with / of / for) her progress.
5. He is afraid (from / of / about) making mistakes.
6. This rule is appropriate (to / for / with) children.
7. They were disappointed (in / with / about) the poor results.
8. She is sensitive (of / to / with) criticism.
9. He is obsessed (with / about / on) fame.
10. I was surprised (by / of / with) the sudden change.
11. She is different (than / from / to) her sister.

Exercise 3. Error correction. Each sentence contains one incorrect adjective-preposition combination. Rewrite it correctly.

1. He is proud for his achievements.
2. She is capable to solving the problem.
3. I am interested on environmental issues.
4. He is married with a famous writer.
5. She was angry to the delay.
6. This medicine is harmful for children.
7. I am familiar of this author.
8. They are opposed against the plan.
9. She is tired from working overtime.
10. He was shocked about the accident.

Exercise 4. Sentence transformation. Rewrite each sentence using the adjective given.

1. He takes responsibility for the project. (responsible)
2. She cannot tolerate loud noises. (sensitive)
3. They strongly disagree with the idea. (opposed)
4. I know this topic well. (familiar)
5. He depends too much on social media. (addicted)
6. She feels nervous about the exam results. (anxious)
7. This action damages the environment. (harmful)
8. I feel happy about my progress. (satisfied)
9. He wants to learn more about art. (interested)
10. She feels very happy about her success. (proud)

Exercise 5. Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition for each adjective.

1. She is very proud ___ her accomplishments in the competition.
2. He is responsible ___ coordinating the team’s tasks.
3. I am tired ___ waiting for the bus every morning.
4. She is addicted ___ playing online games.
5. The teacher is kind ___ all of her students.
6. He was shocked ___ the sudden announcement.
7. I am familiar ___ the rules of this game.
8. Smoking is harmful ___ your lungs.
9. The child is scared ___ the dark.
10. She is excited ___ the upcoming concert.
11. I am worried ___ my exam results.
12. He is capable ___ handling difficult situations calmly.
13. They are opposed ___ building a new factory in the city.
14. She is anxious ___ meeting her new boss.
15. I am grateful ___ your help with the project.
16. The two paintings are similar ___ style and color.
17. This plan is different ___ the previous one.
18. She is fond ___ classical music.
19. He is obsessed ___ his phone and social media.
20. I am interested ___ learning more about history.
21. He was guilty ___ breaking the rules.
22. She is pleased ___ the outcome of the project.
23. I am afraid ___ making mistakes in public.
24. He is annoyed ___ the constant interruptions.
25. She is committed ___ improving her skills.
26. The city is famous ___ its delicious food.
27. He is content ___ his simple lifestyle.
28. The child is curious ___ everything around him.
29. I am proud ___ this decision.
30. She is sensitive ___ criticism.
31. I was surprised ___ the gift they gave me.
32. He is keen ___ playing football on weekends.
33. This medicine is appropriate ___ children over six.
34. She is married ___ a lawyer.
35. I am sorry ___ forgetting your birthday.
36. He is successful ___ running his own company.
37. I am aware ___ the dangers of this activity.
38. The students were disappointed ___ their exam results.
39. She is accustomed ___ waking up early every day.

Adjectives with Prepositions Exam Worksheet

Time: 30–40 minutes
Instructions: Answer all questions. Use correct grammar and spelling.

Part A: Fill in the blanks (15 points). Write the correct preposition in each sentence.

1. She is extremely proud ___ her achievements.
2. He is responsible ___ supervising the staff.
3. I am not accustomed ___ working night shifts.
4. This substance is harmful ___ the environment.
5. She felt ashamed ___ what she had said.
6. They are opposed ___ the new regulations.
7. He is capable ___ handling pressure.
8. I am familiar ___ this author’s work.
9. She is sensitive ___ criticism.
10. He was shocked ___ the results of the investigation.
11. I am tired ___ being ignored.
12. She is addicted ___ online shopping.
13. This rule is appropriate ___ young children.
14. He is angry ___ the delay, not the staff.
15. The two buildings are similar ___ design.

Part B: Multiple choice (15 points). Circle the correct answer.

1. She is interested ___ environmental science.
   a) of  b) in  c) on
2. He is guilty ___ cheating on the test.
   a) for  b) of  c) with
3. They were disappointed ___ the final result.
   a) with  b) at  c) for
4. I am keen ___ improving my English.
   a) to  b) on  c) at
5. This decision is different ___ the previous one.
   a) than  b) from  c) to
6. She is married ___ a famous actor.
   a) with  b) by  c) to
7. He was surprised ___ her reaction.
   a) of  b) at  c) by
8. Smoking is harmful ___ your lungs.
   a) for  b) with  c) to
9. She is satisfied ___ her performance.
   a) of  b) with  c) for
10. He is obsessed ___ success.
    a) on  b) about  c) with
11. I am worried ___ my final exams.
    a) of  b) about  c) for
12. The teacher is kind ___ students.
    a) for  b) to  c) with
13. She is afraid ___ making mistakes.
    a) from  b) of  c) about
14. He is opposed ___ changing the plan.
    a) against  b) to  c) for
15. I am familiar ___ this type of problem.
    a) to  b) with  c) of

Part C: Error correction (10 points). Each sentence contains one mistake. Rewrite it correctly.

1. He is proud for his team.
2. She is interested on modern art.
3. This food is harmful for children.
4. I am afraid from public speaking.
5. She is married with a lawyer.
6. He is capable to solving complex problems.
7. They are opposed against the proposal.
8. I am familiar of this topic.
9. She was angry to the delay.
10. He is addicted with video games.

Part D: Sentence transformation (10 points). Rewrite each sentence using the word given.

1. He manages the project. (responsible)
2. She reacts badly to loud noises. (sensitive)
3. They strongly disagree with the idea. (opposed)
4. I know this system well. (familiar)
5. He depends too much on social media. (addicted)
6. She feels nervous about the exam. (anxious)
7. This chemical damages the environment. (harmful)
8. I feel happy with my results. (satisfied)
9. He wants to learn more about history. (interested)
10. She feels very happy about her success. (proud)

Part E: Writing (Bonus) (10 points). Write 5 sentences using different adjectives with prepositions from this test.