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Prepositions after adjectives

How to use abhorrent with prepositions

The standard pattern is abhorrent to someone. Other prepositions such as in, for, of, and about usually belong to the wider sentence, not directly to abhorrent.

Quick answer

The usual construction is abhorrent to

Use abhorrent to when describing something that causes disgust or moral hatred. Prepositions such as in, for, of, and about can appear later in the sentence for other meanings, but they are not normal complements of abhorrent.

Cruelty is abhorrent to most people.
The idea was abhorrent to her sense of justice.
They found corruption abhorrent to democratic values.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
abhorrent to + person/group

Who feels disgust or moral opposition

Use to after abhorrent to name the person or group that strongly rejects something.

Violence is abhorrent to the community.
The proposal seemed abhorrent to many voters.
2
abhorrent to + principle/value

What something conflicts with

Use to when something is morally opposed to a principle, belief, or standard.

Discrimination is abhorrent to basic human rights.
The practice remains abhorrent to scientific ethics.
3
abhorrent + in + place/situation

Location or context, not adjective complement

In can follow the whole clause to show where something is considered abhorrent. It is not a fixed pattern selected by abhorrent.

Such behaviour is abhorrent in many cultures.
The policy became abhorrent in the public debate.
4
abhorrent + about + topic

Subject being discussed

About may introduce the topic of discussion after a clause with abhorrent, but abhorrent about is not a standard fixed combination.

There is nothing abhorrent about the proposal itself.
What was abhorrent about the incident was the secrecy.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
abhorrent to
Bribery is abhorrent to her.
Standard and idiomatic pattern meaning morally hateful or disgusting to someone.
abhorrent in
Such conduct is abhorrent in professional sport.
In introduces a context or field, not a complement required by abhorrent.
abhorrent for
The city is known for strict laws, not abhorrent for strict laws.
Abhorrent for is generally nonstandard when directly linked to the adjective.
abhorrent of
The phrase abhorrent of modern values is uncommon and not standard current usage.
English normally uses abhorrent to rather than abhorrent of.
abhorrent about
What is abhorrent about the scheme is the deception.
About introduces the topic or aspect being discussed, not a fixed adjective pattern.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using for after abhorrent

For is not the normal preposition directly after abhorrent.

✕ The practice is abhorrent for many citizens. ✓ The practice is abhorrent to many citizens.

Using of instead of to

Modern English normally uses to after abhorrent.

✕ The policy is abhorrent of democratic ideals. ✓ The policy is abhorrent to democratic ideals.

Confusing a context phrase with the main pattern

In can describe a context, but the adjective itself still takes to.

✕ Corruption is abhorrent in voters. ✓ Corruption is abhorrent to voters.

Using about as the main complement

About usually introduces the topic being discussed, not the object of abhorrent.

✕ She is abhorrent about cruelty. ✓ Cruelty is abhorrent to her.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Cruelty is ___ most people.
2. Such behaviour is abhorrent ___ many cultures.
3. What was abhorrent ___ the report was the dishonesty.

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Frequently asked questions

Is abhorrent to the only standard pattern?

It is the main standard complement pattern in current English.

Can I say abhorrent in society?

Yes. In can describe the context or place where something is considered abhorrent.

Is abhorrent of correct?

It is very uncommon and generally avoided in modern standard English. Use abhorrent to instead.

"ablaze with" or "ablaze in"? "able for" or "able in"? "abreast of" or "abreast with"? "absent from" or "absent in"? absolute in, for, of, to or as? "absurd to", "absurd in" or "absurd for"? abundant in, with, of, on or for? "abusive to", "abusive in" or "abusive towards"? "academic in" or "academic at"? "acceptable to" or "acceptable for"? accessible to, by, for, from or in? "accountable for" or "accountable to"?

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