Adjective + preposition
Many adjectives are normally followed by a particular preposition. As with verbs, there are no reliable rules, so it is best to learn the adjective and its preposition together.
Advanced examples
At higher levels, adjective + preposition combinations are common in formal, academic and professional English.
- popular with = liked by a group of people
This music is popular with teenagers. -
averse to = strongly against something
She is averse to taking unnecessary risks. -
oblivious to = not aware of something
He was oblivious to the danger around him. -
conducive to = helping something happen or develop
A quiet room is conducive to concentration. -
tantamount to = to be almost the same as something (usually negative)
His silence was tantamount to an admission of guilt. -
bereft of = completely without something important
The village was bereft of young people. -
commensurate with = matching a level, amount or quality
The salary should be commensurate with your experience. -
contingent on = depending on something happening first
The agreement is contingent on approval from the board. -
replete with = full of something
The report is replete with useful examples. -
impervious to = not affected by something
He seems impervious to criticism. -
predicated on = based on something
The theory is predicated on one main assumption. -
deficient in = lacking enough of something
The diet is deficient in vitamins. -
compatible with = able to work together with something
This software is compatible with most devices. -
incumbent upon somebody to do something = somebody's duty to do something
It is incumbent upon managers to act responsibly. -
devoid of = completely without something
The speech was devoid of emotion. -
synonymous with = being very alike something
The brand is synonymous with luxury. -
susceptible to = easily affected or harmed by something
Young plants are susceptible to frost. -
immune to = not affected by something
She seems immune to criticism. -
prone to = likely to do something or act a certain way
He is prone to exaggeration. -
notorious for = famous for something bad
The city is notorious for traffic problems. -
adept at = very skilled at something
She is adept at solving problems quickly. -
intent on = determined to do something
He seems intent on changing the system. -
wary of = careful because something may be dangerous
Investors are wary of unrealistic promises. -
fraught with = full of problems or difficulties
The negotiations were fraught with problems. -
exempt from = officially not required to do something
Some organisations are exempt from this tax. -
reminiscent of = reminding you of something
The song is reminiscent of old folk music. -
resistant to = not affected or damaged by something
Some bacteria are resistant to antibiotics. -
receptive to = willing to accept or consider something
The manager was receptive to new ideas. -
steeped in = full of a tradition, history or atmosphere
The town is steeped in history. -
engrossed in = giving all your attention to something
She was engrossed in her book.
Other useful advanced expressions
-
responsible for = having control or duty for something
The manager is responsible for the final decision. -
capable of = having the ability to do something
She is capable of handling difficult situations. -
aware of = knowing about something
Everyone should be aware of the risks. -
subject to = affected by a rule, condition or change
The prices are subject to change. -
equivalent to = equal or similar in value or meaning
This certificate is equivalent to a qualification. -
essential to = extremely important for something
Sleep is essential to good health. -
relevant to = connected with a topic or situation
Please include information relevant to the case. -
beneficial to = having a positive effect on something
Exercise is beneficial to mental health. -
vulnerable to = easily harmed or influenced
Children are vulnerable to online dangers. -
dependent on = needing something for support
The result is dependent on several factors.
