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Prepositions after adjectives

Enthusiastic about, in, for, with or at?

Enthusiastic is most commonly followed by about. Other prepositions are possible in specific contexts, but some combinations are uncommon.

Quick answer

Which preposition follows enthusiastic?

Use enthusiastic about for interests, plans, or activities: enthusiastic about science. Enthusiastic for appears in some formal or British contexts about support or eagerness. Enthusiastic with, in, and at are usually not fixed patterns with the adjective and often belong to other parts of the sentence.

She is enthusiastic about photography.
The crowd was enthusiastic for the new proposal.
He became enthusiastic at the announcement.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
enthusiastic about + topic

Showing strong interest

Use about for subjects, activities, and ideas that someone likes strongly.

I am enthusiastic about the project.
They seem enthusiastic about learning languages.
2
enthusiastic for + thing

Expressing support or eagerness

For can appear in formal or regional English when expressing support or desire for something.

Voters were enthusiastic for change.
She sounded enthusiastic for the plan.
3
enthusiastic in + activity

Describing behaviour within an activity

In is uncommon directly after enthusiastic, but it can introduce the area where enthusiasm appears.

He is enthusiastic in meetings and often shares ideas.
The children were enthusiastic in class today.
4
enthusiastic with + person

Talking about manner toward someone

With is not a standard complement after enthusiastic, but it can introduce the person involved in the situation.

She was enthusiastic with the clients throughout the presentation.
5
enthusiastic at + event

Referring to a reaction at a moment

At may introduce the event or occasion connected to the feeling.

Everyone became enthusiastic at the news.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
enthusiastic about
She is enthusiastic about jazz.
Standard pattern for interests and passions.
enthusiastic for
The team is enthusiastic for reform.
More formal or regional expression of support or eagerness.
enthusiastic with
He was enthusiastic with the visitors.
With refers to interaction with people, not a standard adjective complement.
enthusiastic in
She is enthusiastic in workshops.
In refers to the context where enthusiasm appears.
enthusiastic at
They were enthusiastic at the announcement.
At links the feeling to an event or moment.

Common mistakes

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

Using the wrong main preposition

About is the usual choice for interests and activities.

✕ She is enthusiastic in music. ✓ She is enthusiastic about music.

Assuming all prepositions are interchangeable

Different prepositions change the meaning or sound unnatural.

✕ He is enthusiastic with football. ✓ He is enthusiastic about football.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. They are enthusiastic ___ the new software.
2. The voters were enthusiastic ___ reform.
3. She became enthusiastic ___ the announcement.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the most common preposition after enthusiastic?

About is the standard and most widely used choice.

Is enthusiastic for correct?

Yes, especially in formal or regional English when expressing support or eagerness.

Can I say enthusiastic with someone?

It is possible in context, but it usually describes interaction with a person rather than a fixed adjective pattern.

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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