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Preposition after adjective

Deadly to, in, for, of, or with

Deadly most commonly takes to when describing something fatal or harmful. Other prepositions usually add place, manner, or topic information.

Quick answer

Which preposition is most common after deadly?

Use deadly to for something that can kill or seriously harm: deadly to humans. Deadly in often refers to a place or activity. Deadly with can describe great skill. Deadly for and deadly of are uncommon as fixed adjective patterns.

The poison is deadly to dogs.
The streets become deadly in winter.
She is deadly with a tennis racket.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
deadly to + person/animal

Fatal or harmful effects

Use deadly to when something can cause death or severe harm.

This plant is deadly to cats.
The gas proved deadly to miners.
2
deadly in + place/activity

Dangerous conditions

Deadly in can describe where or when danger exists.

The roads are deadly in icy weather.
Mistakes can be deadly in surgery.
3
deadly with + tool/skill

Extremely effective or skilled

Deadly with often means highly skilled or dangerously effective.

He is deadly with a bow.
The striker is deadly with both feet.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
deadly to
The chemical is deadly to fish.
Capable of killing or causing serious harm.
deadly in
Conditions are deadly in the desert heat.
Danger exists in a place or situation.
deadly for
The heat was deadly for the crops.
Possible but less fixed; for marks what is affected.
deadly of
They were deadly afraid of snakes.
Deadly of is not a standard pattern after deadly.
deadly with
She is deadly with a camera.
Extremely skilled or effective using something.

Common mistakes

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

Using deadly of as a normal adjective pattern

Deadly of is not standard modern usage after deadly.

✕ The substance is deadly of humans. ✓ The substance is deadly to humans.

Confusing deadly to with deadly for

Deadly to is the standard choice for harmful effects.

✕ The poison is deadly for dogs. ✓ The poison is deadly to dogs.

Using deadly with for danger instead of skill

Deadly with usually describes ability or effectiveness.

✕ The virus is deadly with children. ✓ The virus is deadly to children.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. This mushroom is deadly ___ humans.
2. The mountain roads are deadly ___ winter storms.
3. She is deadly ___ a rifle.

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Frequently asked questions

Is deadly for incorrect?

It is less standard as a fixed pattern after deadly. Deadly to is usually the better choice for harmful effects.

What does deadly with mean?

It often means extremely skilled or effective with a tool, weapon, or ability.

Can deadly describe situations?

Yes. Expressions like deadly in winter or deadly on wet roads describe dangerous conditions.

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