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Prepositions after adjectives

Excited about, for, by, at or over?

Excited commonly combines with about, for, by, and sometimes at or over depending on the meaning and style.

Quick answer

Choosing the right preposition after excited

Use excited about for topics or future events, excited for someone else's experience or an upcoming event, excited by for the cause of excitement, and excited at or over mainly for reactions to news or situations.

I'm excited about the concert.
We're excited for your new job.
She was excited by the results.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
excited about + topic/event

Talking about enthusiasm

About is the most common choice for things you look forward to or enjoy discussing.

They are excited about the trip.
2
excited for + person/event

Showing happiness for someone or anticipation

For often expresses support for another person or excitement about an upcoming occasion.

I'm excited for the weekend.
3
excited by + cause

Identifying what creates excitement

By focuses on the thing that produces the feeling.

The children were excited by the fireworks.
4
excited at/over + news or result

Reacting strongly to something

At and over are both possible for emotional reactions, though about is often more neutral.

She was excited over the announcement.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
excited about
He is excited about the project.
enthusiastic about a topic or event
excited for
We're excited for you.
happy or enthusiastic on someone else's behalf
excited by
Scientists are excited by the discovery.
stimulated or impressed by something
excited at
She was excited at the news.
emotionally affected by information or an event
excited over
Fans are excited over the transfer.
strongly enthusiastic about a development

Common mistakes

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

Using excited for in all situations

For is not always interchangeable with about.

✕ I'm excited for astronomy. ✓ I'm excited about astronomy.

Using by for future plans

By usually identifies the cause, not a planned event.

✕ We're excited by our vacation next month. ✓ We're excited about our vacation next month.

Confusing excited about and excited for someone

Use for when expressing happiness on another person's behalf.

✕ I'm excited about you. ✓ I'm excited for you.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She is excited ___ the new season.
2. We're excited ___ our friends moving abroad.
3. The audience was excited ___ the performance.

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Frequently asked questions

Is excited for correct?

Yes. It is common when expressing happiness for another person or anticipation of an event.

What is the difference between excited about and excited by?

Excited about expresses enthusiasm toward a topic or event, while excited by emphasizes the cause of the feeling.

Can I use excited over?

Yes. Excited over is used for strong reactions to news, events, or developments.

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