Common Adjective & Preposition Combinations

Adjective and preposition combinations, also known as collocations, are an essential aspect of the English language. Collocations are words that naturally go together and have a specific meaning when used together. Proficient English speakers use these collocations effortlessly in their daily conversations, but English as an additional language learners learners often struggle to understand and use them correctly.

In this article, we will discuss some of the most common adjective and preposition collocations with examples to help you understand and use them effectively.

Common Adjective & Preposition Combinations

Here are some common Common Adjective & Preposition Combinations:

1. Afraid of

The phrase ‘afraid of’ means to feel fear or anxiety about something or someone. Here are some examples:

• She is afraid of spiders.
• He is afraid of heights.
• I’m afraid of the dark.

2. Angry about

The phrase ‘angry about’ means to feel annoyance or displeasure about something. Here are some examples:

• She’s angry about the cancellation of the event.
• He’s angry about the way he was treated.
• I’m angry about the late delivery.

3. Ashamed of

The phrase ‘ashamed of’ means to feel embarrassed or guilty about something. Here are some examples:

• She’s ashamed of her behavior last night.
• He’s ashamed of his past mistakes.
• I’m ashamed of my poor performance in the exam.

4. Fond of

The phrase ‘fond of’ means to like or have a liking for someone or something. Here are some examples:

• She’s fond of chocolate.
• He’s fond of his pet dog.
• I’m fond of listening to music.

5. Interested in

The phrase ‘interested in’ means to have an interest or curiosity about something. Here are some examples:

• She’s interested in learning a new language.
• He’s interested in politics.
• I’m interested in reading books.

6. Good at

The phrase ‘good at’ means to be skilled or proficient in something. Here are some examples:

• She’s good at playing the piano.
• He’s good at mathematics.
• I’m good at cooking.

7. Proud of

The phrase ‘proud of’ means to feel a sense of pride or satisfaction about something or someone. Here are some examples:

• She’s proud of her daughter’s achievements.
• He’s proud of his artwork.
• I’m proud of my team’s performance.

8. Responsible for

The phrase ‘responsible for’ means to be in charge of or accountable for something. Here are some examples:

• She’s responsible for the project’s success.
• He’s responsible for the company’s finances.
• I’m responsible for my own actions.

9. Tired of

The phrase ‘tired of’ means to be bored or fed up with something or someone. Here are some examples:

• She’s tired of her job.
• He’s tired of the same routine every day.
• I’m tired of this cold weather.

10. Worried about

The phrase ‘worried about’ means to be concerned or anxious about something. Here are some examples:

• She’s worried about her son’s health.
• He’s worried about the upcoming exam.
• I’m worried about the safety of my neighborhood.

11. Similar to

The phrase ‘similar to’ means to have similarities or a resemblance to something. Here are some examples:

• Her dress is similar to mine.
• His paintings are similar to those of Picasso.
• The two cities are similar to each other in terms of culture and traditions.

12. Different from

The phrase ‘different from’ means to have differences or dissimilarities from something. Here are some examples:

• Her personality is different from her sister’s.
• His taste in music is different from mine.
• The new phone model is different from the previous one in terms of design and features.

13. Capable of

The phrase ‘capable of’ means to have the ability or capacity to do something. Here are some examples:

• She’s capable of completing the task on her own.
• He’s capable of solving complex problems.
• I’m capable of handling stressful situations.

14. Dependent on

The phrase ‘dependent on’ means to rely or be influenced by something or someone. Here are some examples:

• The company’s success is dependent on its employees’ performance.
• He’s dependent on his parents for financial support.
• I’m dependent on my car for transportation.

15. Interested in

The phrase ‘interested in’ means to have an interest or curiosity about something. Here are some examples:

• She’s interested in learning a new language.
• He’s interested in politics.
• I’m interested in reading books.

16. Similar with

The phrase ‘similar with’ is similar to ‘similar to’, meaning to have similarities or a resemblance to something. Here are some examples:

• Her writing style is similar with her favorite author.
• His cooking skills are similar with his mother’s.
• The new product is similar with the old one in terms of features and functionality.

17. Famous for

The phrase ‘famous for’ means to be well-known or celebrated for something. Here are some examples:

• She’s famous for her singing talent.
• He’s famous for his acting skills.
• The city is famous for its historical monuments.

18. Accustomed to

The phrase ‘accustomed to’ means to be used to or familiar with something. Here are some examples:

• She’s accustomed to waking up early.
• He’s accustomed to the busy city life.
• I’m accustomed to working from home.

19. Pleased with

The phrase ‘pleased with’ means to feel satisfied or happy with something. Here are some examples:

• She’s pleased with her performance in the competition.
• He’s pleased with the outcome of the project.
• I’m pleased with my new haircut.

20. Addicted to

The phrase ‘addicted to’ means to be physically or mentally dependent on something. Here are some examples:

• She’s addicted to social media.
• He’s addicted to playing video games.
• I’m addicted to drinking coffee.

Common Adjective & Preposition Collocations

Find more Common Adjective & Preposition Combinations in the table below.

Combination	Example Sentence
1. Fond of	She’s fond of chocolate ice cream.
2. Interested in	He’s interested in learning Spanish.
3. Proud of	They’re proud of their daughter’s accomplishments.
4. Happy with	She’s happy with her new job.
5. Afraid of	He’s afraid of snakes.
6. Familiar with	She’s familiar with the city’s public transportation system.
7. Responsible for	He’s responsible for managing the project.
8. Different from	The new model is different from the old one.
9. Similar to	The two paintings are similar to each other.
10. Concerned about	They’re concerned about the environment.
11. Angry about	She’s angry about the cancellation of the concert.
12. Excited about	He’s excited about his upcoming vacation.
13. Upset about	She’s upset about the argument with her friend.
14. Dependent on	The company is dependent on its customers for revenue.
15. Accustomed to	She’s accustomed to the cold weather.
16. Guilty of	He’s guilty of breaking the company’s rules.
17. Oblivious to	She’s oblivious to her surroundings when she’s reading.
18. Famous for	The city is famous for its museums.
19. Ashamed of	He’s ashamed of his behavior at the party.
20. Responsible to	She’s responsible to her supervisor for completing the project.
21. Afraid of	She’s afraid of heights.
22. Tired of	I’m tired of eating the same food every day.
23. Angry with	He’s angry with his boss for giving him extra work.
24. Good at	She’s good at playing the piano.
25. Interested in	I’m interested in photography.
26. Responsible for	He’s responsible for the company’s finances.
27. Proud of	I’m proud of my community service work.
28. Similar in	The two paintings are similar in color and composition.
29. Worried about	She’s worried about her upcoming job interview.
30. Made of	The table is made of wood.

Do you know other Common Adjective & Preposition Combinations? Write them in the comment section below!