Prepositional phrase complements
Especially in conversation, where speakers can assume a knowledge of what has been said, it is frequently unnecessary to add a complement. We can say I was angry, we were anxious, everyone was delighted without specifying the reason. In writing, however, we often need to make the motivation more specific.
We here offer a small representative selection of everyday examples. These are grouped according to the preposition and the types of meaning conveyed by the adjective.
1 adjective + about is used for emotional reaction to something:
mad about music concerned about his safety
2 adjective + at has two meanings: (a) emotional reaction to something or someone, and (b) an ability:
(a) alarmed at the news indignant at the accusation
(b) clever at getting what he wants hopeless at remembering names
Other adjectives used with at: (a) pleased, annoyed (b) bad, brilliant, terrible, adept, skilled, marvelous
3 adjective + by (with adjectives derived from past participles and passive in meaning):
puzzled by the question worried by their failure to return
4 adjective + for means the value the adjective has for something or someone:
good for the health responsible for their welfare
5 adjective + from has two meanings: (a) separation and distancing; (b) effect–cause:
(a) remote from civilization different from everyone else
(b) sleepless from anxiety tired from overworking
6 adjective + in is used for an existing or resulting state:
dressed in white lost in thought
7 adjective + of is used for (a) mental state in terms of the antagonist or process; (b) mental state in terms of the protagonist; (c) containment:
(a) afraid of wild animals capable of great concentration
(b) kind of you stupid of him
(c) full of enthusiasm sick of it all
The (b) sequence occurs in clauses beginning It is + adjective + extraposed subject:
It is kind of you to take such trouble. It was stupid of him to lose the keys.
8 adjective + on is used for dedication, dependence or aim:
keen on sport intent on divorce
9 adjective + to means (a) mental state or attitude related to a phenomenon; (b) equivalence, similarity or comparison:
(a) opposed to innovation kind to old people; accustomed to hardship
(b) similar to the others equal to half a kilo
10 adjective + with can be (a) emotional reaction or physical state due to a cause, or (b) property or ability:
(a) fed up with the weather pale with fear
(b) skilful with his hands good with children
Note that 2(b) describes ability in relation to the task; 10(b) describes ability in relation to the tools or raw material.
11 adjective + beyond means to an extreme degree (with non-count nouns):
cruel beyond endurance injured beyond recovery
The following extract from Roald Dahl’s Boy illustrates the use of adjectives and their grading:
Fives is possibly the fastest ball-game on earth, far faster than squash, and the little ball ricochets around the court at such a speed that sometimes you can hardly see it. You need a swift eye, strong wrists and a very quick pair of hands to play fives well . . .
