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Prepositions after adjectives

How to use “alien” with prepositions

Alien is usually followed by to when describing something unfamiliar or contrary to someone.

Quick answer

Use “alien to” for unfamiliarity

Alien to means strange, unfamiliar, or opposed to something. Alien in, alien from, and alien for usually introduce separate ideas rather than completing the adjective.

Such behaviour is alien to our culture.
The concept felt alien to him.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
alien to + person/idea

Showing unfamiliarity or incompatibility

To is the standard preposition after alien.

Violence is alien to her nature.
2
alien to + culture

Describing something contrary to values

This pattern is common in formal English.

The practice is alien to local traditions.
3
alien from + place

Separate meaning about origin

From usually relates to origin or separation, not the adjective pattern alien to.

The creature seemed alien from another world.
4
alien in + place

Feeling foreign in a context

In introduces location or context.

She felt alien in the new environment.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
alien to
The idea is alien to me.
unfamiliar or contrary to someone
alien in
He felt alien in the city.
in introduces a setting
alien from
The species appears alien from Earth.
from relates to origin or separation
alien for
That attitude is alien for our team.
generally nonstandard; use alien to

Common mistakes

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

Using “for” after alien

English normally uses alien to.

✕ The custom is alien for us. ✓ The custom is alien to us.

Confusing location with complement

In usually gives context, not the complement of alien.

✕ The concept is alien in me. ✓ The concept is alien to me.

Using “from” for unfamiliarity

From usually refers to origin.

✕ The idea is alien from her. ✓ The idea is alien to her.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. This kind of humour is alien ___ him.
2. She felt alien ___ the crowded office.
3. Which phrase is standard for unfamiliarity?

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Frequently asked questions

What does “alien to” mean?

It means unfamiliar, strange, or contrary to someone or something.

Is “alien for” correct?

No. Modern English normally uses alien to.

Can “alien in” be correct?

Yes, when in introduces a place or context rather than completing the adjective.

abhorrent-to-in-for-of, about "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?

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