Adjective + of (1)
afraid/frightened/terrified/scared OF ...:
* 'Are you afraid of dogs?' 'Yes, I'm terrified of them.'
fond/proud/ashamed/jealous/envious OF ....:
* Why are you always so jealous of other people?
suspicious/critical/tolerant OF ...:
* He didn't trust me. He was suspicious of my intentions.
Adjective + of (2)
aware/conscious OF ...
* 'Did you know he was married?' 'No, I wasn't aware of that.'
capable/incapable OF ...
* I'm sure you are capable of passing the examination.
full OF./short OF ...
* The letter I wrote was full of mistakes. (not 'full with')
* I'm a bit short of money. Can you lend me some?
typical OF ...
* He's late again. It's typical of him to keep everybody waiting.
tired OF ...:
* Come on, let's go! I'm tired of waiting. (= I've had enough of waiting)
certain/sure OF or ABOUT ...:
* I think she's arriving this evening but I'm not sure of that. (or . sure about that.)
Adjective+ at/ to/ from/ in/ on/with /for
good/bad/excellent/brilliant/hopeless (etc.) AT ...:
* I'm not very good at repairing things. (not 'good in repairing things')
married/engaged TO ...:
* Linda is married to an American. (not 'married with')
but * Linda is married with three children. she is married and has three children)
similar TO ...:
* Your writing is similar to mine.
different FROM (or TO) ...:
* The film was different from what I'd expected. (or ... different to what I'd expected.)
interested IN ...:
* Are you interested in art?
keen ON ...:
* We stayed at home because Cathy wasn't very keen on going out.
dependent ON ... (but 'independent OF ...'):
* I don't want to be dependent on anybody.
crowded WITH (people etc.):
* The city centre was crowded with tourists. (but 'full of tourists')
famous FOR ...:
* The Italian city of Florence is famous for its art treasures.
responsible FOR ...:
* Who was responsible for all that noise last night?
EXERCISES
130.1 Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first one.
1. There were lots of tourists in the city centre. The city centre was crowded _with tourists._
2. There was a lot of furniture in the room. The room was full ---.
3. I don't like sport very much. I'm not very keen ---.
4. We haven't got enough time. We're a bit short ---.
5. I'm not a very good tennis player. I'm not very good ---.
6. Catherine's husband is Russian. Catherine is married ---.
7. I don't trust Robert. I'm suspicious ---.
8. My problem is not the same as yours. My problem is different ---.
130.2 Complete the sentences with one of the following adjectives + the correct preposition:
afraid different interested proud responsible similar sure
1. I think she's arriving this evening but I'm not _sure of_ that.
2. Your camera is --- mine but it isn't exactly the same.
3. Don't worry. I'll look after you. There's nothing to be ---.
4. 'Do you want to watch the news on television?' 'No, I'm not --- the news.'
5. The editor is the person who is --- what appears in a newspaper.
6. Mrs Davis is a very keen gardener. She's very --- her garden and loves showing it to visitors.
7. I was surprised when I met her for the first time. She was --- what I expected.
130.3 Put in the correct preposition.
1. The letter I wrote was full _of_ mistakes.
2. My home town is not especially interesting. It's not famous --- anything.
3. Kate is very fond --- her younger brother.
4. I don't like going up ladders. I'm afraid --- heights.
5. You look bored. You don't seem 'interested --- what I'm saying.
6. Did you know that Liz is engaged --- a friend of mine?
7. I'm not ashamed --- what I did. In fact I'm quite proud --- it.
8. I suggested we should all go out for a meal but nobody else was keen --- the idea.
9. These days everybody is aware --- the dangers of smoking.
10. The station platform was crowded --- people waiting for the train.
11. She's much more successful than I am. Sometimes I feel a bit jealous --- her.
12. I'm tired --- doing the same thing every day. I need a change.
13. Do you know anyone who might be interested --- buying an old car?
14. We've got plenty to eat. The fridge is full --- food.
15. She is a very honest person. I don't think she is capable --- telling a lie.
16. I'm not surprised she changed her mind at the last moment. That's typical --- her.
17. Our house is similar --- yours. Perhaps yours is a bit larger.
18. John has no money of his own. He's totally dependent --- his parents.
130.4 Write sentences about yourself. Are you good at these things or not? Use:
brilliant very good quite good not very good hopeless
1. (repairing things) _I'm not very good at repairing things._
2. (telling jokes) ---.
3. (mathematics) ---.
4. (remembering names) ---.
130.1
2 of furniture
3 on fport
4 of time
5 at tennis
6 to a Russian (man)
7 of Robert
8 from yours/to yours
130.2
2 similar to
3 afraid of
4 interested in
5 responsible for
6 proud of
7 different from/different to
130.3
2 for 3 of 4 of
5 in 6 to 7 of ... of
8 on 9 of 10 with
11 of 12 of 13 in
14 of 15 of 16 of
17 to 18 on
130.4
Example answers:
2 I'm hopless at telling jokes
3 I'm not very good at mathematics.
4 I'm quite good at remembering names.
