Topic: Collocations
Day 3: 'Adjective + Preposition'
Today we will
look at the third type of collocation! Are
you ready?
Type 3: ‘Adjective + Preposition’
Have you ever made
the following mistakes?
û
I am afraid for dogs.
ü
I am afraid of dogs.
û
She is good in Mathematics.
ü
She is good at Mathematics.
û
My parents are proud on me.
ü
My parents are proud of me.
û
Jane is very different to
other girls.
ü
Jane is very different from other girls.
Understanding the
meanings of the adjectives is not enough. We also have
to remember the correct prepositions that go with them. So, we are going to learn more
about ‘Adjective + Preposition collocations’.
Let’s look at the ten ‘Adjective + Preposition Collocations’ now. More collocations will be introduced
in the exercises.
1.
Adjectives that use ‘of’ as
collocations
|
No. |
Adjective + OF |
Meaning |
Example |
|
2. |
Aware
of |
Knowing
that something exists |
Were
you aware of the consequences at that time? |
|
1. |
Fond
of |
Having
a great liking for something or somebody |
I’ve
always been fond of pop music. |
|
3. |
Capable
of |
Having
the abilities or qualities to be able to do something |
The
hurricane is capable of blowing the rooves off
houses. |
|
|
Afraid
of |
frightened |
Are
you afraid of insects? |
2.
Adjectives that use ‘with’ as
collocations
|
No. |
Adjective + WITH |
Meaning |
Example |
|
4. |
Familiar
with |
To
know someone or something well |
Paul
is Jenny’s best friend. He is very familiar with her. |
|
5. |
Satisfied
with |
Pleased
because you have got what you wanted |
Are
you satisfied with their offer? |
`
3.
Adjectives that use ‘about’ as
collocations
|
No. |
Adjective + ABOUT |
Meaning |
Example |
|
6. |
Happy
about |
Being
satisfied with |
John does
not seem to be happy about his new job. |
|
7. |
Sorry
about |
Feeling sadness, sympathy, or
disappointment |
I
feel so sorry about your grandfather’s death. |
|
8. |
Guilty
about |
Feeling
guilt |
Billy
feels so guilty about cheating on
his wife. |
4.
Adjectives that use ‘from’ as
collocations
|
No. |
Adjective + FROM |
Meaning |
Example |
|
9. |
Different
from |
Not
the same |
John
looks completely different from Dave, his brother. |
|
10. |
Free
from |
Without |
This
new room is free from dirt. |
5.
Adjectives that use ‘to’ as
collocations
|
No. |
Adjective + TO |
Meaning |
Example |
|
9. |
Similar
to |
being
like something but not the same |
Joey
looks similar to Mandy, his twin sister. |
|
10. |
Used
to |
Having
learned to accept something |
I am quite
used to hard work. |
Let’s consolidate your understanding of ‘Adjective + Preposition Collocations’!
