Many English adjectives always pair with a specific preposition, as in afraid of, interested in, and good at, with no logical rule for which one. These combinations must be learned individually, as in she’s afraid of spiders or he’s interested in history.
Grammar Rule
Many English adjectives always pair with a specific preposition, with no logical rule for which one, so these combinations must be learned individually.
Dependent Prepositions with Adjectives: Rules and Examples
| Adjective | Preposition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| afraid / interested / proud | of / in / of | She’s afraid of spiders. He’s interested in history. |
| good / bad | at | She’s good at math. |
| similar / different | to / from | This city is similar to Rome. |
| married | to | He’s married to a doctor. |
| worried / nervous / excited | about | She’s worried about the exam results. |
Remember: learn each adjective with its fixed preposition; don’t translate word by word from your language.
Practice Test
Instructions
Answer each question in the test below choosing the correct preposition for each adjective. You will get a new random set of questions every time you retake the test, plus a downloadable results summary with your name and score at the end.
Dependent Prepositions After Adjectives
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a rule for which preposition follows which adjective?
No, there is no reliable rule; each adjective-preposition pair must be memorized individually.
Which preposition follows afraid?
Of, as in she’s afraid of spiders.
Which preposition follows interested?
In, as in he’s interested in history.
Which preposition follows good and bad?
At, as in she’s good at math.