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Prepositions after adjectives

Ambivalent about or towards?

Ambivalent is usually followed by about or towards when describing mixed feelings. Other combinations are uncommon or used in different structures.

Quick answer

Which prepositions follow ambivalent?

Use ambivalent about for topics or decisions and ambivalent towards for people, groups, or situations. Ambivalent to is uncommon in current standard English. In and on usually introduce separate details, not complements of ambivalent.

She feels ambivalent about moving abroad.
Many voters are ambivalent towards the proposal.
He remains ambivalent about the merger.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
ambivalent about + topic

Talking about mixed feelings on an issue

Use about before a subject, action, plan, or decision.

I'm ambivalent about accepting the offer.
They were ambivalent about the new policy.
2
ambivalent towards + person/group

Expressing mixed feelings toward someone

Towards is common when the feelings are directed at people, organisations, or situations.

She felt ambivalent towards her former employer.
The public is ambivalent towards the reform plan.
3
ambivalent toward + person/group

Using the US spelling toward

Toward is an American English variant of towards.

He seems ambivalent toward the campaign.
4
ambivalent in + noun phrase

Adding context rather than a complement

In does not normally follow ambivalent directly as its complement. It can introduce a context or area.

She was ambivalent in meetings but confident in writing.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
ambivalent about
They are ambivalent about the change.
Standard for mixed feelings about a topic or action.
ambivalent towards
She feels ambivalent towards her old school.
Standard for mixed feelings directed at someone or something.
ambivalent to
He was ambivalent to the idea.
Generally nonstandard or very uncommon in current English; about is preferred.
ambivalent on
The committee is ambivalent on the issue.
Sometimes heard in political or journalistic language, but about is more natural for most contexts.

Common mistakes

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

Using to after ambivalent

To is usually not the standard complement after ambivalent.

✕ She is ambivalent to the proposal. ✓ She is ambivalent about the proposal.

Confusing about and towards

About usually introduces a topic, while towards introduces a target of feelings.

✕ He is ambivalent towards changing jobs. ✓ He is ambivalent about changing jobs.

Treating in as the main complement

In usually adds context rather than completing the adjective.

✕ They are ambivalent in the plan. ✓ They are ambivalent about the plan.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She feels ambivalent ___ moving overseas.
2. Many citizens are ambivalent ___ the mayor.
3. Which sentence is most natural?

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Frequently asked questions

Can I say ambivalent to?

Ambivalent to is uncommon and usually considered nonstandard in current English. Use ambivalent about or ambivalent towards instead.

Is ambivalent towards correct?

Yes. Ambivalent towards is standard when talking about mixed feelings directed at a person, group, or situation.

What is the difference between ambivalent about and ambivalent towards?

About usually refers to a topic or action, while towards refers to the target of the feelings.

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