Understanding key adjective and preposition combinations is essential for mastering the English language.
Prepositions are small but powerful words that ensure your sentences are grammatically correct and clearly understood. Misusing prepositions is a common mistake for English learners, and getting them right can significantly enhance your communication skills.
This is especially beneficial for those preparing for exams like IELTS, TOEFL, or any English proficiency test where precise language use is essential.
Listen to the podcast Speak Better English with Harry or watch it on YouTube at Learn English with Harry. englishclass101
List of collocations
Key Adjective and Preposition Combinations for Better English
Harry
In this lesson, we’ll explore phrases and expressions that can help you speak more fluently, focusing on the correct use of prepositions. Understanding which preposition pairs with which words will make your spoken English sound more natural and professional.
This advanced English lesson covers 18 essential collocations. I will provide a practical example for each expression to illustrate how and when to use it. Practising these collocations regularly will significantly improve your English communication skills.
improve english on a budget
Online English Courses from €7.99
absent from
Meaning: someone or something is not present in a specific place or situation where they are expected to be
- absent from work
- absent from school
- absent from university
Examples:
The teacher called to inform me that Tom was absent from school today.
She was absent from work last week due to a bad cold.
keen on (+ a noun or a gerund)
Meaning: is used to express a strong interest or enthusiasm for something
- keen on learning
- keen on spicy food
- keen on playing football
Examples:
During the break, she told us she’s keen on a boy from her class.
Lately, she’s become very keen on yoga and practices it every morning to feel energised.
He is very keen on playing football and spends most of his days outside with his friends.
She is very keen on cooking and always has her head in a new cookbook.
She was very keen on the job after reading about the company.
short of (+ a noun)
Meaning: is used to indicate a lack or deficiency of something
- short of time
- short of space
- short of money
Examples:
The room felt cramped and cluttered because we were short of space.
I’m short of space, so I have to put everything in boxes and store it at a friend’s house.
I always seem to be short of time. I never have enough time to do anything.
short on (+ a noun)
Meaning: lack or deficiency of a particular quality, resource, or item
- short on coffee
- short on patience
- short on supplies
Examples:
He’s short on patience and often gets frustrated quickly.
We’re short on coffee, so I’m going to the shop to get some.
We’re very short on bags, we didn’t get the delivery.
Key Adjective and Preposition Combinations for Better English
suspicious of (+ a noun or pronoun)
Meaning: someone has doubts or distrusts someone or something
- suspicious of the new employee
- suspicious of strangers
- suspicious of his excuses
Examples:
As he peered through the blinds, the old man grew suspicious of his neighbours’ activities.
The easy pay rise made him suspicious of his boss’s intentions.
He’s usually so grumpy that I became suspicious of his sudden kindness.
better at (+ a noun or a gerund)
Meaning: to express proficiency or superiority in a specific skill, task, or area compared to someone else
- better at French
- better at swimming
- better at writing
Examples:
He’s better at IT than his colleagues, making him the go-to person for tech issues in the office.
Even though math runs in our family, the kids are actually better at drawing.
She’s better at cooking than at baking. Her dinners always taste good.
She’s working hard to get better at French because she plans to study in Paris next year.
late for (+a noun or noun phrase)
Meaning: someone or something did not arrive at a scheduled time or missed a deadline
- late for the bus
- late for work
- late for the movie
Examples:
We’re going to be late for the movies unless we leave right now.
He glanced at the clock and realised he’d be late for work.
Harry, you’ll be late for your own funeral!
late with (+ a noun or noun phrase)
Meaning: to describe a delay in completing or delivering something
- late with a project submission
- late with the delivery
- late with your rent
Examples:
You’re late with your report this month, and it’s holding up the entire accounting department.
You’re late with your job application, and the deadline is tomorrow. You really need to hurry.
book your trial English Lesson
similar to (+ a noun or a noun phrase)
Meaning: is used to indicate that one thing resembles another or has qualities in common with another
- similar to mine
- similar to the one
- similar to how
Examples:
The dress you wore was similar to the one I bought last summer.
Is that car similar to the one you were looking to get?
terrible at (+ a noun or a gerund)
Meaning: particularly bad at a specific activity or skill
- terrible at swimming
- terrible at maths
- terrible at cooking
Examples:
I’m terrible at Monopoly. I always lose. Maybe it’s time I try a different strategy or find a new game to play.
They’re terrible at swimming and sports in general. They prefer playing video games instead.
guilty of (+ a noun or a gerund)
Meaning: is used to indicate that someone has committed a specific wrongdoing or offence
- guilty of theft
- guilty of lying
- guilty of eating
Examples:
After a thorough investigation, he was found guilty of committing a crime that shocked the community.
He sheepishly admitted to being guilty of eating the last piece of cake at the party.
opposed to (+ a noun or a gerund)
Meaning: is used to express disagreement or a contrasting position regarding an idea, plan, or situation
- opposed to the idea
- opposed to the plan
- opposed to spending
Examples:
Many locals are opposed to the development due to increased traffic and loss of green space.
Opposed to building in the historic district, she organised a meeting to discuss how to protect the area.
sorry for (+ a noun or a gerund)
Use it: to express regret or apology about a situation, action, or outcome
- sorry for your loss
- sorry for the noise
- sorry for being late
- sorry for missing your birthday
Examples:
I’m sorry for screaming. I shouldn’t have raised my voice like that.
I’m really sorry for your troubles. Please let me know how I can help.
Key Adjective and Preposition Combinations for Better English
terrified of (+ a noun or a gerund)
Use it: to express a strong fear or extreme anxiety about something
- terrified of heights
- terrified of being alone
- terrified of speaking in public
Examples:
When he was younger, Tony was terrified of the dark and always slept with a night light on.
Emma is terrified of dogs and always crosses the street to avoid them.
Harry is terrified of heights and never goes to observation decks.
harmful to (+ a noun or noun phrase)
Meaning: something has a damaging or negative effect on someone or something
- harmful to children
- harmful to wildlife
- harmful to your health
Examples:
Regular consumption of processed foods could be harmful to your health.
Reading in the dark is harmful to your eyes because it causes too much strain.
Using too much plastic is harmful to the environment as it leads to pollution and endangers wildlife.
Burning fossil fuels contributes to air pollution and climate change, making it harmful to the environment.
satisfied with (+a noun or noun phrase)
Meaning: to express contentment or approval regarding a specific thing, situation, or outcome
- satisfied with the result
- satisfied with life
- satisfied with the service
Examples:
He’s satisfied with life right now since he got the job he always wanted.
The children were satisfied with the gifts they received for Christmas.
He was satisfied with his job until a new manager came in, and then he lost interest.
suitable for (+ a noun or a gerund)
Meaning: something is appropriate or well-suited for a particular purpose, person, or condition
- suitable for beginners
- suitable for gardening
- suitable for all ages
Examples:
Due to a choking hazard, this product is suitable for children over the age of 3.
This heavy coat is especially suitable for winter, keeping you warm even in the coldest months.
This metal container is not suitable for use in the microwave.
tired of (+ a noun or a gerund)
Meaning: a loss of interest or patience with something
- tired of his job
- tired of eating
- tired of the noise
Examples:
I’m tired of listening to Harry. He’s been going on forever and ever.
I’m tired of waking up feeling exhausted every morning, so it’s time to make some changes to my routine.
I’m tired of life and really need a holiday to unwind and recharge.
Okay, so there you go. You got it. 18 in total, 18 collocations for easy speaking. Hopefully, I’ve given you some good sentences where you can use them. You can express yourself. Try to take a few of them. Change the words a little bit that I’ve given you. Try to think of areas where you might be suspicious of, better at, guilty of, or opposed to.
These key adjective and preposition combinations for better English are essential tools for enhancing your fluency. Just try to practice them. Take 3 or 4 of them. Put them into sentences. Write them down. Repeat them. Drop them into your conversation. You’d be surprised how quickly you can improve your English that way.
Okay, so this is Harry saying goodbye. Thanks for listening. Thanks for watching. And join me for the next lesson.
speak better English with Harry podcast- episode 492
more information
For more information on English grammar rules, English collocations and English idioms, check out the links below:
Intermediate English travel vocabulary
English vocabulary related to driving
You can always study English advanced level at Learning English with the BBC and British Council Learn English.
