1. Grammar V
E r i k a A r g u e l l o
M a r i o S a l a z a r
S h i r l e y V á s q u e z
Adjectives followed by
prepositions“to”
14 – April - 2015
2. Adjectives followed by Prepositions
Specific prepositions are used after certain adjectives. There is no definite rule to ascertain
which preposition should be used with which adjective. We simply need to learn them. But
there’s no need to fret on the thought of learning without knowing the rule as people do
manage to memorize them through constant usage and with a little time.
Adjectives are used in simple sentences to describe people and objects. For example, she is
an interesting speaker. More complex sentences use adjectives + prepositions to make
statements about a person's attitude towards something. For example, she is excited about
the concert tonight. Here is a list of the most common adjective + preposition combinations
to express people's feelings.
Preposition Rules
There are 2 major rules when it comes to the use of prepositions.
The first major rule deals with preposition choice. Certain prepositions must follow certain
words, and the correct preposition must be used to make relationships between words in the
sentences clear.
The second major rule deals with the prepositions place in the sentence. Prepositions must
be followed by nouns, and prepositions can only go on the end of the sentence in certain
situations.
Preposition Choice
Determining the correct preposition to use can be a tricky proposition. This can be
especially difficult when dealing with idioms- expressions in the English language that
require the use of a certain word, simply because that is the word we have chosen to use.
Idiomatic expressions are expressions you just have to memorize, and when errors are
made, they are almost always preposition errors.
Examples:
She’s the one who’s married to a doctor, isn’t she?
You’ll be responsible to the head of the Finance department.
Married TO someone (Linda is married to an American.)
3. The use of preposition “to” on Adjectives
Use with to usually referring to:
SIMILARITY:close, equal, identical, related, similar
Example: His painting is similar to Van Gough.
MARRIAGE: married, engaged
Example: Jack is engaged to Jill
LOYALTY:dedicated, devoted, loyal
Example: He was dedicated to his job.
RANK:junior, senior
Example: John requested some help to his senior.
Some adjectives take different prepositions.
Use an impersonal subject and OF and the subject of the action, or with a personal subject and TO
and the object of an action.
Cruel, nasty friendly nice generous polite
Good rude kind unfriendly mean unkind
Examples:
She was very generous to me when I was staying with her.
It was rude of him to leave so suddenly.
She was rude to him for no reason.
How can you be so unfriendly to your neighbors?
4. Common Adjective Preposition Combinations
A
Accustomed to
Addicted to
Allergic to
Attached to
Able to
B
Beneficial to
E
Exposed to
Engaged to
F
Faithful to
G
Grateful to
I
Identical to
Immune to
Inferior to
Indifferent to
K
Kind to
L
Limited to
O
Opposed to
P
Polite to
R
Related to
Relevant to
M
Married to
S
sensitive to
Similar to
superior to
T
Thankful to
U
Used to
5. Bibliography:
Extractedthe 15 of April of 2015 fromwebsite:
http://wwhttp://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-reference/adjectives-
prepositionsw.english-4u.de/adj_prep.html
http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/parts-of-speech/prepositions/rules-for-
prepositions.html
List of Adjectivesextractedfrom:
http://www.bedavaingilizce.com/prepositions/adj_pre.htm
http://www.englishleap.com/grammar/prepositions-after-adjectives
6. ACTIVITY
1. - Choose the correct adjective + preposition combination.
1. - My cousin is going to get ________________ a millionaire
next spring.
a) married with
b) married of
c) married to
d) married in
2.-Joshua is so_____________ his friends and family. He is a
great person.
a) generous to
b) generous with
c) generous of
d) generous for
3.- I'vebeen married my husband for 10 years.
A) for
B) to
C) of
4.- A ball gown is similar an evening dress.
A) To
B) For
C) Of
5.- Who is James married ?
a) With
b) To
c) For
d)
7. 6.- I came near ____ hitting them.
---
to
7.- She was very good ____ us.
to
at
8. She was so kind __________ me when I was having problems.
(a) to
(b) with
2. - CHOOSE THE CORRECT SENTENCE:
9. - The Export Manager is responsible to the Sales Director.
9. - He is responsible to preparing handouts.
10.- I was amazedto see Nuriaafterso manyyears.
I was amazed toseeing Nuriaaftersomanyyears.
