/Prepositions
B1Prepositions

Adjectives and Prepositions

1

What is it?

Many adjectives need specific prepositions after them. These are fixed combinations: GOOD AT, BAD AT (skills); AFRAID OF, SCARED OF, TIRED OF (feelings); INTERESTED IN, INVOLVED IN, SUCCESSFUL IN (participation); ANGRY WITH/AT, MAD AT (emotions toward people); WORRIED ABOUT, EXCITED ABOUT, SORRY ABOUT (concerns); FAMOUS FOR, RESPONSIBLE FOR, READY FOR (association). Pattern: be + adjective + preposition + noun/gerund → "I'm good at math" / "She's interested in learning". The preposition is fixed and must be learned with the adjective.

2

How to form it

SubjectPositiveNegativeQuestion
good/bad atI'm good at math. / He's bad at sports.She's not good at cooking.Are you good at English?
afraid/scared ofI'm afraid of dogs. / She's scared of heights.I'm not afraid of spiders.Are you afraid of flying?
interested inI'm interested in art. / She's interested in learning.He's not interested in sports.Are you interested in music?
worried/excited aboutI'm worried about the test. / She's excited about the trip.I'm not worried about it.Are you excited about tomorrow?
angry with/atI'm angry with him. / She's mad at me.I'm not angry with you.Are you angry with her?
famous/responsible forHe's famous for his music. / I'm responsible for this.not usedWhat's it famous for?
  • • Adjective + preposition = fixed combinations (must learn together)
  • • Pattern: be + adjective + preposition + noun/gerund
  • • Skills: good at, bad at, skilled at, talented at
  • • Feelings: afraid of, scared of, proud of, tired of, fond of
  • • Interest: interested in, involved in, engaged in, successful in
  • • Emotions: angry with/at, mad at, pleased with, satisfied with
  • • Concerns: worried about, excited about, sorry about, concerned about
  • • Association: famous for, known for, responsible for, ready for, suitable for
3

When to use it

  1. 1

    GOOD AT / BAD AT — skills, abilities

    "I'm good at math." / "She's bad at cooking." / "He's good at swimming." / "Are you good at English?"

  2. 2

    AFRAID OF / SCARED OF — fear

    "I'm afraid of dogs." / "She's scared of heights." / "He's afraid of flying." / "Are you scared of the dark?"

  3. 3

    INTERESTED IN — curiosity, engagement

    "I'm interested in art." / "She's interested in learning French." / "Are you interested in sports?"

  4. 4

    WORRIED ABOUT / EXCITED ABOUT — concerns, anticipation

    "I'm worried about the exam." / "She's excited about the party." / "He's concerned about the results."

  5. 5

    ANGRY WITH / AT — emotion toward people/situations

    "I'm angry with him." (person) / "I'm angry at the situation." / "She's mad at me."

  6. 6

    FAMOUS FOR / RESPONSIBLE FOR — association, duty

    "Paris is famous for the Eiffel Tower." / "I'm responsible for the project." / "She's known for her kindness."

4

Common mistakes

I'm good in math.

I'm good at math.

Use AT with GOOD/BAD for skills, not IN.

I'm interested of art.

I'm interested in art.

Use IN with INTERESTED, not OF.

I'm afraid from dogs.

I'm afraid of dogs.

Use OF with AFRAID/SCARED, not FROM.

I'm worried of the test.

I'm worried about the test.

Use ABOUT with WORRIED/EXCITED, not OF.

5

Quick reference

  • Adjective + preposition = fixed combinations
  • good/bad at (skills) → good at math, bad at sports
  • afraid/scared of (fear) → afraid of dogs, scared of heights
  • interested in (curiosity) → interested in art, in learning
  • worried/excited about → worried about test, excited about trip
  • angry with/at → angry with person, angry at situation
  • famous/responsible for → famous for music, responsible for work
6

Natural conversation example

Discussing hobbies and interests

T

Tom

Are you good at sports?
L

Lisa

Not really. I'm better at art. Are you interested in art?
T

Tom

A bit! I'm more interested in music though.
L

Lisa

Cool! Are you afraid of performing on stage?
T

Tom

A little. I'm worried about making mistakes.
L

Lisa

Don't be! You're good at music. Be excited about it!
T

Tom

Thanks! You're right. I'm proud of what I can do!

Practice Exercises

Complete with the correct preposition.

  1. 1.
    I'm good math.
  2. 2.
    She's afraid dogs.
  3. 3.
    He's interested art.
  4. 4.
    I'm worried the test.
  5. 5.
    She's angry me.
  6. 6.
    Paris is famous the Eiffel Tower.
Verbs and PrepositionsAll TopicsPreposition Collocations

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