good at, interested in…
Prepositions after adjectives
Many adjectives go with a fixed little word: good at, interested in, proud of, worried about, married to. Learn them as pairs.
- She's good at maths.
- I'm interested in history.
- My parents are proud of me.
In Spanish you are «bueno en» something and «casado con» someone; in English you are good at it and married to them.
After the little word comes a noun or an -ing word: good at drawing, not good at draw. (keen to learn, happy to help are a different pattern, and also right.)
Also on this page: afraid of · keen on · famous for · rude to
Try 6
Six quick questions, easiest first. At the end you'll see which mistake you make.
- My brother is really good ______ drawing cartoons.at · for · on · in
- Are you interested ______ joining the school drama club this term?in · on · for · at
- My parents are very proud ______ me for passing my driving test.at · for · about · of
- Are you worried ______ going to your new school?with · for · of · about
- Is your uncle still married ______ Aunt Rosa?at · of · to · with
- Maria was really rude ______ her teacher, so she had to say sorry.to · with · at · for
- Our town is famous ______ its long summer music festival.with · of · as · for
- My sister is really keen ______ learning the guitar.on · for · at · about
- Tom is afraid ______ speaking in front of the whole class.of · from · with
- Everyone should be aware ______ the dangers of crossing a busy road without looking.with · for · about · of
- My older brother was often mean ______ me when we were little.at · to · against
- Maria is responsible ______ organising the leisure activities at the club.of · for · about · to
Show the answers
- atnot in: good at, bad at, terrible atnot on: good at, bad at, terrible atnot for: good at, bad at, terrible at
- innot at: interested innot on: interested innot for: interested in
- ofnot at: proud of, afraid of, aware ofnot for: proud of, afraid of, aware ofnot about: proud of, afraid of, aware of
- aboutnot of: worried aboutnot for: worried aboutnot with: worried about
- tonot at: married tonot of: married tonot with: married to
- tonot at: kind to, rude to, mean tonot for: kind to, rude to, mean tonot with: kind to, rude to, mean to
- fornot as: famous for, known fornot of: famous for, known fornot with: famous for, known for
- onnot at: keen onnot for: keen onnot about: keen on
- ofnot from: proud of, afraid of, aware ofnot with: proud of, afraid of, aware of
- ofnot for: proud of, afraid of, aware ofnot with: proud of, afraid of, aware ofnot about: proud of, afraid of, aware of
- tonot at: kind to, rude to, mean tonot against: kind to, rude to, mean to
- fornot of: responsible fornot to: responsible fornot about: responsible for
Common mistakes on this point
Not: I'm good in cooking.
Say: I'm good at cooking.
A skill takes at: good at maths, bad at cooking. (good with people, good for you are different and also right.)
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: I'm interested on history.
Say: I'm interested in history.
interested in + a noun or an -ing word (interested in history, interested in joining).
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: My parents are proud for me.
Say: My parents are proud of me.
You're proud of the person or thing; afraid of, aware of, fond of and tired of take of too.
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: I'm worried of my exams.
Say: I'm worried about my exams.
worried takes about the thing you're thinking of.
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: She's married with a doctor.
Say: She's married to a doctor.
You are married to a person. (married with children = has children: also right.)
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: She was rude with her teacher.
Say: She was rude to her teacher.
kind to, rude to, mean to, nice to, polite to. But: patient with, strict with, honest with.
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: The town is famous of its festival.
Say: The town is famous for its festival.
The reason someone or something is famous takes for.
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: I'm keen in learning the guitar.
Say: I'm keen on learning the guitar.
keen on + a noun or an -ing word (keen on learning). keen to + a verb is also right (keen to learn).
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: Who is responsible of the kitchen?
Say: Who is responsible for the kitchen?
The job or thing you look after takes for.
See this mistake on its own page ›