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Preposition after adjective

allergic to

The adjective allergic is normally followed by to when you mention the substance, food, animal, or thing that causes a reaction.

Quick answer

Use allergic with to

Use allergic to for medical reactions and for figurative dislike. Other prepositions are not standard after allergic in this meaning.

She is allergic to peanuts.
I'm allergic to cat hair.
He's allergic to early meetings.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
allergic to + substance

Naming the thing that causes a reaction

Use to before foods, medicines, plants, animals, or materials.

Many people are allergic to pollen in spring.
He is allergic to shellfish.
2
allergic to + animal

Talking about animal allergies

Use to with pets or animals that trigger symptoms.

My daughter is allergic to cats.
Some visitors are allergic to horses.
3
allergic to + activity or idea

Figurative meaning

Allergic to can also mean strongly opposed to or unwilling to tolerate something.

She seems allergic to criticism.
He's allergic to paperwork.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
allergic to
I'm allergic to dust.
Standard form for reactions or strong dislike.
allergic with
I'm allergic with peanuts.
Nonstandard after allergic.
allergic against
The vaccine protects against flu, but she is allergic to eggs.
Against is used with protection or opposition, not with allergic.

Common mistakes

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

Using the wrong preposition

After allergic, use to.

✕ She is allergic with milk. ✓ She is allergic to milk.

Confusing allergy and protection

Against does not normally follow allergic.

✕ He is allergic against pollen. ✓ He is allergic to pollen.

Missing the preposition

Do not omit to before the cause.

✕ I'm allergic cats. ✓ I'm allergic to cats.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She is allergic ___ nuts.
2. He's allergic ___ strong perfume.
3. They are allergic ___ cat hair.

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Frequently asked questions

Can allergic to be used figuratively?

Yes. It can describe strong dislike or avoidance, such as allergic to change.

Is allergic with correct?

No. Standard English uses allergic to.

Can I say allergy to instead of allergic to?

Yes. The noun allergy is also followed by to, as in an allergy to peanuts.

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