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Prepositions after adjectives

How to use prepositions with "cruel"

Cruel to is the standard pattern for harmful behaviour toward someone or something. Cruel of is used before a person who performs the action.

Quick answer

Which prepositions are correct after "cruel"?

Use "cruel to" for the target of cruel behaviour: cruel to animals. Use "cruel of" before the person responsible in patterns like "It was cruel of him". "Cruel in", "cruel for", and "cruel on" are limited or context-based rather than standard adjective patterns.

It is wrong to be cruel to animals.
That was cruel of him.
The joke seemed cruel to her.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
cruel to + person/animal

Showing the target of cruelty

To introduces the person or animal affected by cruel behaviour.

cruel to children
They were cruel to the dog.
2
cruel of + person

Judging someone's action

Of identifies the person whose behaviour is considered cruel.

cruel of her
It was cruel of them to laugh.
3
cruel on + body/object

Describing harmful effects

On can describe something physically harmful or damaging.

cruel on the skin
These chemicals are cruel on metal surfaces.
4
cruel in + activity

Referring to behaviour within an activity

In sometimes introduces the context where cruelty appears.

cruel in battle
He was cruel in his remarks.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
cruel to
The owner was cruel to the horses.
Standard pattern for the victim of cruel behaviour.
cruel of
It was cruel of her to say that.
Judging the person's action or character.
cruel in
The ruler was cruel in dealing with enemies.
In introduces the area or activity.
cruel for
It would be cruel for the child to travel alone.
For introduces the affected person in a different sentence structure, not a fixed pattern after cruel.
cruel on
Cold weather can be cruel on dry skin.
On refers to harmful effects on something.

Common mistakes

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

Using "of" for the victim

Use to for the person or animal affected.

✕ They were cruel of the cat. ✓ They were cruel to the cat.

Using "to" after "It was cruel"

Use of before the person responsible for the action.

✕ It was cruel to him to laugh. ✓ It was cruel of him to laugh.

Using "for" as the main complement

For belongs to a different structure and does not directly follow cruel in the standard pattern.

✕ She was cruel for her staff. ✓ She was cruel to her staff.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The guards were ___ the prisoners.
2. It was ___ him to hide the truth.
3. Winter weather can be ___ your hands.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the main preposition after cruel?

Cruel to is the standard pattern for harmful behaviour toward someone or something.

When do we use "cruel of"?

Use it in structures such as "It was cruel of her to say that."

Is "cruel on" correct?

Yes. It is used when something has a harsh or damaging effect on a person, body part, or object.

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