What are dependent prepositions?
A dependent preposition is a preposition that always follows a specific adjective. We cannot change or remove it. The adjective and preposition work together as a fixed phrase. For example, we say 'afraid of' and not 'afraid to' or 'afraid for'. Learning these phrases helps you speak and write more naturally in English.
Why are they important?
English speakers always use the same preposition with the same adjective. If you use the wrong preposition, it sounds incorrect—even if a native speaker understands you. For this reason, it is best to learn adjective + preposition combinations as single units, just like vocabulary.
Structure: adjective + dependent preposition
The pattern is simple: adjective + preposition + noun or gerund (verb + -ing). For example: 'I am interested in learning Spanish' or 'She is good at drawing'. The dependent preposition comes immediately after the adjective and before the object.
Adjective + Preposition List (A–M)
| Adjective | Preposition | Example Phrase | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| absent | from | absent from school | not present at a place |
| accustomed | to | accustomed to the noise | familiar through habit |
| afraid | of | afraid of spiders | feeling fear about something |
| amazed | at / by | amazed at her talent | both prepositions accepted |
| angry | about / with / at | angry about the delay; angry with him | about = situation; with/at = person |
| annoyed | about / with / at | annoyed about the mistake | same pattern as angry |
| anxious | about / for | anxious about the results | for = eager; about = worried |
| ashamed | of | ashamed of his behaviour | feeling guilt or embarrassment |
| associated | with | associated with crime | linked or connected to |
| aware | of | aware of the risks | having knowledge of |
| bad | at / for | bad at maths; bad for health | at = skill; for = effect |
| based | on / in | based on facts; based in London | on = foundation; in = location |
| bored | with / by | bored with the routine | both prepositions common |
| brilliant | at | brilliant at chess | exceptionally skilled |
| capable | of | capable of great things | having the ability to do |
| careful | about / with / of | careful about spending; careful with money | multiple prepositions depending on context |
| certain | of / about | certain of success | confident something is true |
| characteristic | of | characteristic of the region | typical or distinctive feature |
| close | to | close to the station | near in distance or relationship |
| committed | to | committed to the cause | dedicated or bound to |
Formula
✔ Positive
Subject
+
is/am/are
+
adjective
+
preposition
+
noun/gerund
I am interested in cooking.
✖ Negative
Subject
+
is/am/are not
+
adjective
+
preposition
+
noun/gerund
They are not good at maths.
? Question
Is/Are
+
subject
+
adjective
+
preposition
+
noun/gerund
Are you afraid of heights?
Examples
She was afraid of flying and avoided airplanes whenever possible.
Emotion · Fixed phrase
My brother is very good at football.
Skill or ability · Everyday usage
She is interested in art and design.
Personal interest · Common phrase
This task is difficult for beginners.
Level of challenge · Formal usage
He is keen on learning new languages.
Enthusiasm · British English
The room is full of books.
Description · Descriptive adjective
When to use it
Talking about emotions
Use dependent prepositions to describe how you or others feel. This is very common in daily conversations.
"I'm worried about the exam tomorrow."
Describing skills
Say what someone is good or bad at doing, or what they enjoy.
"She is excellent at playing the piano."
Expressing interests
Talk about hobbies, activities, or topics that interest you or others.
"I am very interested in photography."
Explaining difficulty
Describe how easy or hard something is for a person or group.
"This language is difficult for most English speakers."
Signal words
afraid of
amazed at/by
angry with
anxious about
ashamed of
bad at
bored with
capable of
careful with
certain of
clear about
close to
different from
difficult for
disappointed with
eager for
easy for
excited about
familiar with
fond of
full of
furious with
glad about
good at
grateful for
guilty of
happy about
hard for
honest about
interested in
jealous of
keen on
kind to
known for
loyal to
mean to
Common Mistakes
✕
Wrong
I am interested to learning English.
✓
Correct
I am interested in learning English.
Use 'interested in', not 'interested to'. The preposition 'in' is dependent on 'interested'.
✕
Wrong
He is good to mathematics.
✓
Correct
He is good at mathematics.
Use 'good at' for skills, not 'good to'. Only 'at' is correct with 'good'.
✕
Wrong
She is afraid to snakes.
✓
Correct
She is afraid of snakes.
Use 'afraid of', not 'afraid to'. The preposition 'of' must follow 'afraid'.
✕
Wrong
I am keen to travel.
✓
Correct
I am keen on travel.
Use 'keen on', not 'keen to'. The correct dependent preposition is 'on'.
✕
Wrong
The box is full with books.
✓
Correct
The box is full of books.
Use 'full of', not 'full with'. Only 'of' is the correct dependent preposition.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
What to Remember
- A dependent preposition always follows a specific adjective and cannot be changed or removed.
- The adjective and preposition together form a fixed phrase that must be learned as one unit.
- Using the wrong preposition with an adjective sounds incorrect, even if native speakers understand your meaning.
- English speakers always use the same preposition with the same adjective without variation.
- Memorize dependent prepositions with their adjectives to speak and write more naturally in English.