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Prepositions after adjectives

How to use easy with prepositions

Easy commonly appears in patterns such as easy to use and easy for someone. Some other prepositions belong to separate expressions rather than direct complements.

Quick answer

Common patterns with easy

Use easy to plus a verb, easy for plus a person, and easy with for skill or comfort in handling something. Easy in and easy on usually have different meanings and structures.

The software is easy to install.
This recipe is easy for beginners.
She is easy with children.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
easy to + verb

Describing a simple action

Use easy to before a verb to describe something that requires little effort.

The form is easy to complete.
This chair is easy to move.
2
easy for + person

Showing who finds something simple

Use easy for before the person or group affected.

The instructions are easy for new users.
It was easy for her to adapt.
3
easy with + thing/person

Comfortable or gentle in handling something

Use easy with to describe careful or relaxed behaviour.

He is easy with animals.
Be easy with the glassware.
4
easy on + body part or senses

Describing little strain or discomfort

Use easy on in expressions about comfort or reduced impact.

These shoes are easy on the feet.
The colour is easy on the eyes.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
easy to + verb
The app is easy to use.
Standard pattern for simple actions.
easy for + person
The test was easy for the students.
Shows who experiences the task as simple.
easy with
She is easy with clients.
Comfortable or relaxed in dealing with people.
easy in
He felt easy in the new office.
In here describes a state within a place or situation, not a fixed complement after easy.
easy on
This lotion is easy on the skin.
Common expression meaning gentle or not harmful.

Common mistakes

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

Using easy for before a verb

Use easy to before verbs.

✕ The device is easy for operate. ✓ The device is easy to operate.

Confusing easy to with easy for

Easy to describes the action itself, while easy for identifies the person.

✕ The lesson is easy to beginners. ✓ The lesson is easy for beginners.

Using easy in as a direct complement

Easy is not usually followed directly by in to mean simple.

✕ The task is easy in. ✓ The task is easy to complete.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The instructions are easy ___ follow.
2. The game was easy ___ the children.
3. These headphones are easy ___ the ears.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I say easy to do?

Yes. Easy to plus a verb is a very common pattern.

What does easy on mean?

It usually means gentle, comfortable, or not harmful to a body part or sense.

Is easy with correct?

Yes. It can describe being relaxed, skilled, or gentle with people or things.

eager-for-to-in-about, on "early in", "early on" or "early for"? earnest in, with, on, for or at? "economical with" or "economical in"? "ecstatic about" or "ecstatic with"? "effective in", "effective at" or "effective for"? "efficient in" or "efficient at"? elderly in, with, at, of or as? elegant in, with, of, as or to? eligible for, to, in or under? "embarrassed by" or "embarrassed about"? "embarrassing for" or "embarrassing to"?

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