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Preposition after adjective

Desirous of, for, about or to?

Desirous is a formal adjective most commonly followed by of or an infinitive.

Quick answer

Using desirous correctly

Use desirous of before a noun and desirous to before an infinitive. Desirous for and desirous about are uncommon and generally avoided.

desirous of change
desirous of peace
desirous to learn

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
desirous of + noun

Wanting something

Use of before the thing wanted.

They were desirous of a quick solution
2
desirous to + verb

Wanting to do something

Use to before an infinitive in formal English.

She is desirous to continue negotiations

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
desirous of
He was desirous of success.
Standard formal pattern.
desirous for
She hoped for support.
Not a usual pattern with desirous.
desirous about
They were eager about the project.
About is not normally used after desirous.
desirous to
The company is desirous to expand.
Formal pattern before an infinitive.

Common mistakes

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

Using for after desirous

Use of before nouns with desirous.

✕ desirous for change ✓ desirous of change

Avoiding the infinitive pattern

Desirous to plus verb is correct in formal English.

✓ She is desirous to help

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. He was desirous ___ a promotion.
2. The board is desirous ___ reduce costs.
3. Choose the standard phrase.

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Frequently asked questions

Is desirous common in everyday English?

It is fairly formal and less common than eager or wanting.

Can desirous be followed by a verb?

Yes. Use desirous to plus infinitive.

Is desirous for correct?

It is generally avoided in standard English.

daily, for, daily, with, daily, in damaging to, for, of, in or as? damn about, near, for, to or as? "dangerous for" or "dangerous to"? "dark in", "dark for" or "dark of"? "daunting for" or "daunting to"? dead in, on, by, at or of? deadly to, in, for, of or with? "deaf to" or "deaf in"? dear to, in, for, of or as? deceased in, to, for, at or on? "decent in" or "decent for"?

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