Innovation & Society Mastering Adjective + Preposition Combinations

Adjective + Preposition

Meaning(s)

Examples

cautious about/of

careful to avoid danger or mistakes

Be cautious about sharing personal data online. / He’s cautious of strangers.

clever at/with

skilled or good at using something

She’s clever at solving puzzles. / He’s clever with words.

concerned for

worried about someone else’s situation

I’m concerned for her health.

confident about

sure and positive about something

He’s confident about his presentation.

connected with

having a relationship with something/someone

Her work is connected with neuroscience.

content to

satisfied enough to accept a situation

He was content to stay quiet.

crazy for

strongly liking something/someone

She’s crazy for vintage clothes.

critical to

extremely important to something

Clean energy is critical to climate solutions.

deaf to

unwilling to hear or listen

He was deaf to their complaints.

dedicated to

devoted or committed to something

She’s dedicated to environmental causes.

delighted with/by

very pleased or happy about something

I’m delighted with the results. / He was delighted by the performance.

dependent upon

needing support from something/someone

We are dependent upon technology.

derived from

obtained from a source

This word is derived from Latin.

desperate for

needing something very badly

She’s desperate for help.

different than

not the same as (US usage)

This product is different than the last one.

diligent in/about

showing care in work

He’s diligent in his research. / She’s diligent about preparing reports.

distinct from

clearly different from

AI is distinct from human intelligence.

divided between/among

shared or split between people/groups

The tasks were divided among the team. / They were divided between two choices.

dressed in

wearing specific clothing

She was dressed in black.

eager to

very enthusiastic or excited

They were eager to start the project.

eligible for

qualified to do/get something

You are eligible for a refund.

engaged on

involved in something (formal)

She’s engaged on a research project.

equal to

having the same value or ability

This system is equal to any other in quality.

essential for

necessary

Education is essential for success.

excited at

happy and enthusiastic

We were excited at the news.

faithful to

loyal

He remained faithful to his beliefs.

familiar in

having experience with a place/situation

He is familiar in academic settings.

famous as

known for a role/status

He is famous as a writer.

fascinated by/with

extremely interested in

She’s fascinated by robotics. / He’s fascinated with AI.

fearful of

afraid

Some people are fearful of change.

fit for

suitable or healthy

He’s fit for the role. / Is this water fit for drinking?

fond about

liking someone/something (less common than “fond of”)

She’s fond about her childhood memories.

fraught with

full of (usually negative things)

The process was fraught with challenges.

friendly toward(s)

behaving in a kind way

The robot was friendly towards children.

frustrated with

annoyed or upset

I’m frustrated with this app.

furious at

extremely angry

She was furious at the delay.

grateful to

thankful

I’m grateful to my mentor.

handy with

good at using hands/tools

He’s handy with electronics.

hesitant about

uncertain or unwilling

She was hesitant about investing.

honest about

telling the truth

He was honest about the costs.

hopeful of

optimistic that something will happen

We’re hopeful of success.