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Prepositions after adjectives

Using “ambitious” with prepositions

Ambitious for can describe a strong desire for success or achievement. Ambitious in usually refers to the area where ambition appears rather than a fixed adjective pattern.

Quick answer

Which form is correct?

Use ambitious for goals, success, or desired outcomes. Ambitious in can describe the field or area where someone shows ambition, but it is less fixed and less common.

She is ambitious for her children.
The company is ambitious in its expansion plans.
He became ambitious for political power.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
ambitious for + goal/result

Wanting success or achievement

Use for when referring to goals, advancement, or desired outcomes.

He is ambitious for promotion.
They are ambitious for growth.
2
ambitious in + area/activity

Showing ambition in a field

In introduces the area or context where ambition is shown.

The team is ambitious in research.
She remained ambitious in business.
3
ambitious about + plan

Useful alternative for plans and projects

About is common when discussing plans, ideas, or intentions.

The mayor is ambitious about transport reform.
4
ambitious to + verb

Expressing intended achievement

To plus a verb expresses a desired action or achievement.

She is ambitious to lead the company.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
ambitious for
He is ambitious for success.
Describes a strong desire for achievement.
ambitious in
The firm is ambitious in marketing.
In introduces the field or activity where ambition appears.
ambitious about
She is ambitious about the project.
Focuses on plans or ideas.
ambitious to + verb
They are ambitious to expand overseas.
Expresses intended achievement or action.

Common mistakes

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

Using “in” when a goal is meant

Use for with goals or desired results.

✕ She is ambitious in promotion. ✓ She is ambitious for promotion.

Assuming “in” is always wrong

Ambitious in can be natural when referring to a field or activity.

✓ The company is ambitious in design.

Forgetting other patterns

Ambitious also works with about and to.

✓ He is ambitious to improve the system.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. He is ambitious ___ a leadership role.
2. The organisation is ambitious ___ renewable energy.
3. She is ambitious ___ build an international brand.

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Frequently asked questions

Is “ambitious for” standard English?

Yes. It is used for goals, success, or desired outcomes.

Can I say “ambitious in business”?

Yes. In can introduce the area where someone shows ambition.

What is another common pattern with ambitious?

Ambitious about and ambitious to are both common in modern English.

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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