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Prepositions after adjectives

Disinterested in, with, at, to or on?

The usual pattern is disinterested in something, meaning not interested. Other prepositions are usually separate context phrases rather than fixed combinations.

Quick answer

Which preposition goes with disinterested?

The standard combination is disinterested in something. It means lacking interest or enthusiasm. Prepositions such as with, at, to, and on are not normally selected by disinterested itself, though they may appear in a sentence for other reasons.

She seemed disinterested in the discussion.
Many students are disinterested in politics.
He became disinterested in continuing the project.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
disinterested in + noun

Showing lack of interest in something

Use disinterested in before a thing, activity, or topic.

The audience was disinterested in the presentation.
I'm disinterested in celebrity gossip.
2
disinterested in + gerund

Showing no desire to do something

Use a gerund after in to describe an activity.

She's disinterested in joining the committee.
They became disinterested in arguing further.
3
disinterested with + noun

Using with as a separate adjunct

With is not the normal complement after disinterested. It may introduce a separate phrase about company or circumstance.

He sat disinterested with his arms folded by the window.
4
disinterested at + event

Using at for location or occasion

At can describe where someone is disinterested, but the adjective itself still usually takes in for the topic.

She looked disinterested at the meeting.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
disinterested in
They are disinterested in football.
Standard pattern meaning not interested in something.
disinterested with
She seemed disinterested with her colleagues nearby.
With introduces accompanying circumstances, not the object of interest.
disinterested at
He appeared disinterested at the conference.
At refers to location or event, not the thing causing interest.
disinterested to
They were disinterested to the proposal.
This combination is not standard in current English.
disinterested on
She was disinterested on the subject of taxes.
This is generally unnatural; use disinterested in instead.

Common mistakes

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

Using to after disinterested

Disinterested normally takes in, not to.

✕ She is disinterested to politics. ✓ She is disinterested in politics.

Using on for topics

Use in when referring to a topic or subject.

✕ He was disinterested on the issue. ✓ He was disinterested in the issue.

Confusing disinterested with impartial

Disinterested can also mean impartial in formal English, but many learners use it to mean not interested.

✓ The judge remained disinterested during the case.

Using with as the main complement

With is not the usual preposition after disinterested.

✕ I'm disinterested with sports. ✓ I'm disinterested in sports.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She seemed disinterested ___ the lecture.
2. They became disinterested ___ continuing the conversation.
3. Which sentence is most natural?

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Frequently asked questions

Can disinterested mean impartial?

Yes. In formal English, disinterested can mean impartial or unbiased.

Is disinterested to correct?

No. The normal pattern is disinterested in.

Can I use disinterested with a verb?

Yes. Use in plus a gerund, such as disinterested in learning languages.

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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