Level: Intermediate-Advanced
Form:
It is very common to see adjective-preposition combinations. However, there is no concrete rule on when to use which combination. The key to mastering such combinations and knowing when to use them is reading and listening more in English. By doing so, one will become more familiar with how these combinations are used.
Common Adjective-Preposition Combinations:
Afraid of | Afraid for
Afraid of – that person or thing causes fear
John has always been afraid of heights.
Afraid for – feeling fear or worry about something or someone
Afraid for her life, she decided to leave her abusive husband.
Angry at | Angry about | Angry with
Angry at / about – anger is directed at the situation
It’s expected for the employees to be angry at the way the company handled the crisis.
The employees are still very angry about the low pay rise.
Angry with somebody – anger is directed at a person
Your mother is no longer angry with you, David.
Answerable for | Answerable to
Answerable for – responsible for
The league’s officials are answerable for mismanaging the funds.
Answerable to – has to explain its actions to
The department head is answerable only to the Chief Executive Officer.
Anxious about | Anxious at | Anxious for | Anxious to
Anxious about – talks about subject of worry
The business owners are increasingly anxious about the new tax reform policies.
Anxious at – talks about the cause of worry
Jason was anxious at Mildred’s delay.
Anxious for – talks about positive concern or desire for something
We’re anxious for our wedding to go as we’ve planned it.
Anxious to – expresses eagerness and is followed by a verb
The new city mayor was anxious to impress his constituents.
Bad/Good at | Bad/Good for
Good/Bad at – successful / unsuccessful
Everyone in this class is good at math.
He’s very bad at telling lies.
Good for – beneficial
We should all drink more water. It’s definitely good for us.
Good about | Good to | Good with
Feel good about – pleased
She felt good about getting the promotion.
Good to someone – kind
His foster parents have always been very good to him ever since they took him in.
Good with – skilled
Aries is very good with children.
Concerned about | Concerned with
Concerned about – worried
They were a bit concerned about their upcoming event.
Concerned with – about
This paragraph of the article is concerned with common air pollutants.
Glad about | Glad for | Glad of
Glad about something – reason for being happy
Karen is going to take the job in Berlin and her boss was not glad about her decision.
Glad for someone – happy for that person
I’m very glad for you.
Glad of – to be thankful to have something
I’d be glad of extra time to finish this report.
Pleased about | Pleased at | Pleased with
Pleased about/at – directed at reason for being happy and satisfied
She was really pleased about finishing her room’s renovations.
Pleased with – happy/satisfied
It took forever to complete the construction of this building, but we are very pleased with the results.
Right about | Right for
Right about – correct
The team was right about not proceeding with the project. It turned out, Mr. Jones is a crook.
Right for – suitable
Richard and Julia are going to agree on whatever they think is right for their children.
Sorry about | Sorry for
Sorry about – regretful
The professor was sorry about being late for the class.
Sorry for – feel sympathy for
I feel really sorry for people who are not comfortable in their own skin.