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Prepositions after adjectives

Bold with prepositions

Bold can combine with several prepositions, but each has a different meaning. Some combinations are common only in specific contexts.

Quick answer

Which prepositions follow bold?

Bold in is common for areas of activity or style. Bold with describes strong use of something. Bold enough for is possible before a purpose. Bold on is uncommon. Bold of someone means brave or impolite in a particular action.

bold in debate
bold with colour
It was bold of him to complain.
bold enough for the stage

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
bold in + area

Showing confidence in an activity

In introduces the field or area where someone is confident or daring.

She is bold in negotiations.
2
bold with + noun

Describing strong use of something

With often refers to colour, design, or style choices.

The artist was bold with colour.
3
bold of + person

Judging someone's action

Bold of someone comments on behaviour that is brave, surprising, or rude.

It was bold of her to ask for a refund.
4
bold enough for + purpose

Describing suitability

For can introduce a purpose or audience after enough.

The pattern is bold enough for a poster.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
bold in
He is bold in business meetings.
Confident or daring in a particular area.
bold with
The designer was bold with bright colours.
Using something strongly or freely.
bold for
The font is bold enough for outdoor signs.
Suitable for a purpose, usually with enough.
bold on
The report uses bold text on the headings.
On is usually linked to another noun, not directly selected by bold.
bold of
It was bold of them to refuse.
Comments on someone's action or attitude.

Common mistakes

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

Using bold on as a fixed pattern

Bold does not normally take on directly.

✕ She is bold on meetings. ✓ She is bold in meetings.

Confusing bold of with bold for

Bold of comments on behaviour, while for usually introduces purpose.

✕ It was bold for him to interrupt. ✓ It was bold of him to interrupt.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She is bold ___ negotiations.
2. It was bold ___ him to disagree publicly.
3. The brand is bold ___ its use of colour.

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Frequently asked questions

Is bold in correct?

Yes. It is used for areas of activity, such as bold in debate.

Can we say bold with colours?

Yes. Bold with colour is common in art, fashion, and design contexts.

Is bold on standard English?

Not usually. On normally belongs to another phrase, such as bold text on signs.

bad, for, bad, of baffling to, for, in, as or of? bankrupt in, by, for, as or with? "barefoot in" or "barefoot on"? "bare of", "bare with" or "bare in"? "basic of" or "basic to"? beautiful in, with, on, for or to? beholden to, for or on? "beloved by", "beloved to" or "beloved of"? "bemused by" or "bemused at"? "beneficial to" or "beneficial for"? bereft of, at, by, in or without?

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