Introduction
Understanding adjectives followed by prepositions is essential for the TOEIC test, as they frequently appear in both the Listening and Reading sections. These combinations are common in business English, and knowing them can help you understand and respond to questions more accurately.
Explanation
Some adjectives are often followed by specific prepositions. Here are a few common examples:
Interested in: Used to express curiosity or concern about something.
Example: "She is interested in the marketing position."Responsible for: Used to show accountability or duty.
Example: "He is responsible for the new project."Familiar with: Used to indicate knowledge or experience.
Example: "Are you familiar with the new software?"Worried about: Used to express concern or anxiety.
Example: "They are worried about the upcoming presentation."
Common mistakes
Mixing up prepositions: Learners often confuse which preposition to use with certain adjectives. For example, saying "interested on" instead of "interested in."
Overusing prepositions: Avoid adding unnecessary prepositions, such as "responsible of for" instead of just "responsible for."
Tips for the TOEIC test
Pay attention to context: The context of a sentence often hints at the correct adjective-preposition combination.
Practice listening: In the Listening section, listen for these combinations to understand the speaker's intent.
Focus on common combinations: Familiarize yourself with frequently used adjective-preposition pairs in business contexts.
Mini practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition:
The manager is pleased _____ the team's performance this quarter.
Are you aware _____ the new company policy?
She is excited _____ the opportunity to work abroad.
Answers
with
of
about