subject + be + adjective + preposition + noun/pronounLearn adjective + preposition as one unit, then add what it refers to after the preposition.
Adjective + Preposition Collocations
B1Many adjectives go with a fixed preposition. Learn the full chunk, then add the noun or pronoun after it: interested in music, afraid of dogs.
What you'll learn
- Choose the natural preposition after common adjectives.
- Complete the pair with the right noun or pronoun.
- Use common adjective + preposition pairs in real sentences.
- Spot missing or extra prepositions in a sentence.
Structure
Build a sentence
Subject
Adjective + preposition
Object
Annaisinterestedinmodern art
Anna is interested in modern art.
Learn interested in as one chunk.
When to use
Feelings and interests
Talk about what someone likes, fears, or cares about: Anna is interested in jazz. Leo is afraid of heights.
Responsibility
Say who has a duty or task: Maria is responsible for the schedule. Tom is responsible for the cash box.
Similarity
Compare people or things: This bag is similar to mine. Lisa is similar to her sister.
Markers
interested inafraid ofresponsible forsimilar to
Common mistakes
Wrong
Maria is interested on art.
Correct
Maria is interested in art.
Interested pairs with in, not on. Learn interested in as one chunk.
Wrong
Lisa is afraid spiders.
Correct
Lisa is afraid of spiders.
Afraid needs of before the thing that causes fear.
Wrong
Tom is similar to to his brother.
Correct
Tom is similar to his brother.
The pair is similar to. Do not add a second to.
Wrong
Anna is responsible for.
Correct
Anna is responsible for the report.
After for, add the thing or task Anna has to manage.
Common misconceptions
❝ I can choose any logical preposition after the adjective. ❞
These pairs are fixed in English. The natural choice is learned as a chunk: interested in, afraid of, responsible for, similar to.
❝ If the meaning is clear, I can drop the preposition. ❞
With these adjectives, the preposition is part of the pattern. Without it, the sentence is incomplete or wrong.
Skills in this rule (4)
PAIR_ADJECTIVE_WITH_RIGHT_PREPOSITIONw5Choose the preposition that naturally follows the adjective
Some adjectives go with one fixed preposition. Learn the full pair as one chunk: interested in, afraid of, similar to, responsible for.
COMPLETE_MEANING_WITH_OBJECTw4Add the noun or pronoun after the preposition
After the adjective + preposition pair, add the thing or person it refers to: interested in music, afraid of dogs, responsible for the project.
USE_COMMON_PAIRS_IN_REAL_CONTEXTw4Use common adjective + preposition pairs in everyday statements
Use these pairs to talk about feelings, duties, and comparisons in real situations: interested in books, responsible for the keys, similar to his father.
SPOT_EXTRA_OR_MISSING_PREPOSITIONSw4Notice when a preposition is missing or extra
Keep the adjective with its normal preposition and do not add a second one. Check the full chunk, not just the adjective.