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Prepositions after adjectives

Entertaining for or entertaining in?

Entertaining usually stands alone as an adjective. Entertaining for can describe suitability for a group, while entertaining in is normally about location, not a fixed adjective pattern.

Quick answer

Which preposition is used with entertaining?

The adjective entertaining usually does not need a preposition: The film was entertaining. Entertaining for is sometimes used to mean suitable or enjoyable for a particular group. Entertaining in usually describes where someone is entertaining guests, not a fixed combination with the adjective.

The documentary was entertaining despite its serious topic.
The game is entertaining for children.
They are entertaining in the garden tonight.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
entertaining

Describing something enjoyable

Use entertaining without a preposition to describe something amusing or enjoyable.

Her speech was entertaining from beginning to end.
It is surprisingly entertaining to watch.
2
entertaining for + person/group

Saying who enjoys something

Use for when talking about the audience or group that finds something enjoyable.

The cartoon is entertaining for young viewers.
The workshop was entertaining for the whole team.
3
entertaining in + place

Talking about location

In can follow entertaining when entertaining is part of the verb phrase entertain and refers to location.

They enjoy entertaining in their apartment on weekends.
She is entertaining in the main hall this evening.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
entertaining
The podcast is entertaining.
Standard adjective use without a preposition.
entertaining for
The show is entertaining for teenagers.
Suitable or enjoyable for a particular group.
entertaining in
They are entertaining in the backyard tonight.
In introduces a place where guests are being entertained.

Common mistakes

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

Adding an unnecessary preposition

The adjective entertaining usually stands alone.

✕ The movie was entertaining for. ✓ The movie was entertaining.

Confusing adjective and verb uses

Entertaining in often refers to the action of hosting guests in a place, not the adjective meaning amusing.

✕ The lecture was entertaining in students. ✓ The lecture was entertaining for students.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The speaker was very ___ during the conference.
2. The app is entertaining ___ children.
3. They are entertaining ___ the terrace tonight.

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Frequently asked questions

Can entertaining be used without a preposition?

Yes. This is the most common adjective pattern: The book was entertaining.

Is entertaining for correct?

Yes. It is used when naming the people who enjoy something: entertaining for adults.

Is entertaining in a fixed adjective pattern?

Usually no. In normally introduces a place in a verb phrase such as entertaining in the lounge.

eager-for-to-in-about, on "early in", "early on" or "early for"? earnest in, with, on, for or at? easy for, on, in, to or with? "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"?

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