Adjective + preposition — Explanation

Practice adjective and preposition combinations with B1 level exercises. Clear explanations, gap fill questions, and grammar tests for learners.

Adjective + Preposition Exercises

In English, many adjectives need certain prepositions to go with them. These combinations happen a lot and are often set in stone, which means you usually can't change the preposition. Learning how to use adjectives and prepositions together will help you sound more natural and correct when you speak or write English.

What is a combination of an adjective and a preposition?

An adjective + preposition combination is made up of an adjective and a specific preposition that come after it to finish its meaning.

Structure:
adjective + preposition + noun / -ing form

Examples:

• afraid of spiders
• interested in music
• good at maths
• angry with someone

Even if the adjective is correct, using the wrong preposition can make a sentence sound wrong or strange.

Common adjective + preposition combinations

When you use some adjectives, you almost always use the same preposition. These are some of the most common B1-level combinations:

Adjective + of

• afraid of
• proud of
• tired of
• aware of

Examples:
She is proud of her work.
I am tired of waiting.

Adjective + in

• interested in
• involved in
• successful in

Examples:
He is interested in learning English.
She was successful in her career.

Adjective + at

• good at
• bad at
• excellent at

Examples:
I am good at problem solving.
They are bad at remembering names.

Adjective + with

• angry with
• pleased with
• satisfied with

Examples:
The teacher was pleased with our progress.
She is angry with her brother.

Using adjective + preposition with -ing

We use the -ing form of a verb after a preposition, not the infinitive form.

Examples:
She is interested in learning Spanish.
I am tired of working late.

This rule is important and is often tested at the B1 level.