Adjectives
Adjectives are words that describe or modify another person or thing in the sentence. They provide more information about an object’s size, shape, age, color, origin, or material. Adjectives are often used to describe the qualities or states of beings, such as ‘happy’, ‘sad’, ‘large’, ‘small’, ‘beautiful’, ‘ugly’, ‘smooth’, ‘rough’, ‘narrow’, and ‘broad’.
Prepositions
Prepositions are words used before nouns, pronouns, or other substantives to express their relationship with other words in the sentence. They typically indicate direction, location, time, or the introduction of an object. Common prepositions include ‘in’, ‘on’, ‘at’, ‘from’, ‘with’, ‘by’, ‘of’, ‘about’, and ‘for’.
Adjective and Preposition Combinations
Adjective and preposition combinations, also known as prepositional phrases when combined with the object of the preposition, are a fundamental part of English grammar. These combinations consist of an adjective followed by a preposition, creating a unique expression that often conveys a specific meaning or nuance that is not always directly inferable from the individual words themselves.
These combinations are important for several reasons:
- Nuance and Precision: They allow speakers to convey more precise or nuanced information about the subject. For example, “interested in” suggests an inclination towards something, while “skilled in” implies proficiency.
- Idiomatic Expressions: Many adjective-preposition combinations are idiomatic, meaning their meanings cannot be deduced merely from the individual words. Knowing these combinations is essential for fluency and natural-sounding language.
- Contextual Clarity: They can provide essential contextual details that clarify how an adjective relates to the rest of the sentence. For example, “afraid of” clarifies that the fear is directed towards something specific.
- Conversational and Written Depth: These combinations enrich both conversational and written English, allowing for more sophisticated and varied expression.
Understanding and mastering these combinations can significantly enhance one’s ability to communicate effectively and expressively in English.
Adjective and Preposition Combinations
Adjectives + Prepositions IN
- Interested in
- Skilled in
- Successful in
- Confident in
- Rich in
- Poor in
- Versatile in
- Experienced in
- Involved in
- Engaged in
- Immersed in
- Proficient in
- Absorbed in
- Invested in
- Rooted in
- Grounded in
- Specialized in
- Fluent in
- Deficient in
- Abundant in
Adjectives + Prepositions OF
- Proud of
- Full of
- Capable of
- Afraid of
- Tired of
- Free of
- Independent of
- Aware of
- Desirous of
- Supportive of
- Critical of
- Envious of
- Worthy of
- Representative of
- Devoid of
- Conscious of
- Suspicious of
- Fond of
- Terrified of
- Protective of
Adjectives + Prepositions AT
- Good at
- Talented at
- Skilled at
- Excellent at
- Proficient at
- Adept at
- Inept at
- Angry at
- Surprised at
- Amazed at
- Laughing at
- Bad at
- Efficient at
- Successful at
- Expert at
- Terrible at
- Annoyed at
- Astounded at
- Disappointed at
- Shocked at
Adjectives + Prepositions FROM
- Different from
- Distant from
- Free from
- Safe from
- Exempt from
- Protected from
- Absent from
- Recovered from
- Removed from
- Independent from
- Separate from
- Divergent from
- Alienated from
- Excluded from
- Released from
- Distinct from
- Benefited from
- Far from
- Detached from
- Liberated from
Adjectives + Prepositions BY
- Accompanied by
- Amazed by
- Surrounded by
- Inspired by
- Impressed by
- Abandoned by
- Followed by
- Haunted by
- Influenced by
- Overwhelmed by
- Fascinated by
- Enchanted by
- Intrigued by
- Captivated by
- Frightened by
- Horrified by
- Charmed by
- Offended by
- Appalled by
- Embarrassed by