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Prepositions after adjectives

Dismissive of, about, in, to or on?

The standard pattern is dismissive of someone or something. Other prepositions usually introduce separate ideas rather than complete the adjective.

Quick answer

Which preposition goes with dismissive?

Use dismissive of to show a lack of respect or interest toward someone or something. Combinations with about, in, to, and on are usually not standard complements after dismissive.

She was dismissive of their concerns.
He sounded dismissive of the proposal.
The article is dismissive of modern art.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
dismissive of + noun

Showing lack of respect or interest

Use dismissive of before a person, idea, or suggestion.

The manager was dismissive of employee complaints.
He became dismissive of expert advice.
2
dismissive of + pronoun

Referring to people directly

Pronouns commonly follow dismissive of.

She sounded dismissive of them.
Why are you so dismissive of us?
3
dismissive about + topic

Using about in separate structures

About may refer to the topic of speech, but of remains the standard complement after dismissive.

He was dismissive about the issue during the interview.
4
dismissive in + context

Using in for situations

In can introduce the context where someone behaves dismissively.

She was dismissive in meetings with clients.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
dismissive of
They were dismissive of the criticism.
Standard pattern meaning showing little respect or interest.
dismissive about
He sounded dismissive about the delays.
About may refer to the topic discussed, but of is the usual complement.
dismissive in
She was dismissive in interviews.
In introduces a context or setting.
dismissive to
He was dismissive to my idea.
This is generally nonstandard; use dismissive of instead.
dismissive on
She was dismissive on the subject of funding.
This is unnatural in standard English; use dismissive of.

Common mistakes

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

Using to after dismissive

Dismissive normally takes of, not to.

✕ She was dismissive to his concerns. ✓ She was dismissive of his concerns.

Using on for topics

Use of after dismissive when naming the object.

✕ He is dismissive on climate issues. ✓ He is dismissive of climate issues.

Confusing about and of

About can refer to the topic of discussion, but of is the direct complement.

✓ The article is dismissive of the proposal.

Leaving out the preposition

Dismissive usually needs of before the object.

✕ They were dismissive the complaint. ✓ They were dismissive of the complaint.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The editor was dismissive ___ the new idea.
2. She sounded dismissive ___ our concerns.
3. Which sentence is most natural?

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Frequently asked questions

Can dismissive be followed by about?

About can appear in some sentences, but dismissive of is the standard complement pattern.

Is dismissive to correct?

It is generally considered nonstandard. Use dismissive of instead.

What does dismissive of mean?

It means treating someone or something as unimportant or not worthy of attention.

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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