Adjective + Preposition Combinations

In English, many adjectives are followed by a specific preposition to complete their meaning. These fixed phrases — such as good at, interested in, afraid of, and worried about — must be learnt individually because there is no single rule that predicts which preposition follows which adjective. We say "proud of" (not "proud about") and "responsible for" (not "responsible of"). Native speakers use these phrases automatically, but for learners they are one of the trickiest areas of English grammar.

The best approach is to learn adjective + preposition pairs as complete phrases rather than trying to memorise rules. When you meet a new adjective, always note which preposition follows it. Some patterns can help: adjectives describing emotions about a topic often take "about" (worried about, excited about), while adjectives describing ability tend to take "at" (good at, terrible at). However, there are many exceptions, so regular practice is essential for building accuracy. This grammar point is frequently tested in Cambridge B1 Preliminary and B2 First examinations.