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Prepositions after adjectives

Generous with, generous to, or generous in?

Generous with usually refers to what someone gives. Generous to refers to the person receiving kindness. Generous in describes behaviour or qualities shown in an activity or area.

Quick answer

Which preposition goes with generous?

Use generous with for things, time, money, or praise. Use generous to for people or animals receiving kindness. Use generous in to describe behaviour, actions, or spirit in a situation.

She is generous with her time.
They were generous to the new staff.
He was generous in his comments.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
generous with + thing

Giving or sharing something

Use generous with when talking about money, time, help, praise, or resources that someone gives freely.

The coach was generous with advice.
She is always generous with her guests.
2
generous to + person

Kind treatment toward someone

Use generous to identify the person or group receiving generosity.

They were generous to local charities.
My aunt has always been generous to us.
3
generous in + activity

Showing generosity in behaviour

Use generous in when describing the manner or spirit shown in speech, behaviour, or actions.

He was generous in victory.
The editor was generous in her feedback.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
generous with
She is generous with her knowledge.
sharing something freely
generous to
He was generous to his neighbours.
kind toward people
generous in
They were generous in their support.
showing generosity in actions or attitude
generous about
She was generous about letting us stay longer.
possible in context, but about introduces the topic rather than being the usual complement after generous

Common mistakes

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

Using to for things

Use with for things or resources that are shared.

✕ She is generous to her time. ✓ She is generous with her time.

Using with for recipients

Use to for the people receiving generosity.

✕ They were generous with the children. ✓ They were generous to the children.

Confusing in and with

In describes behaviour or attitude, while with introduces what is given.

✕ He was generous with his praise during the ceremony. ✓ He was generous in his praise during the ceremony.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She is very generous ___ her employees.
2. The professor was generous ___ his time after class.
3. They were generous ___ their praise of the team.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I say generous with money?

Yes. Generous with is common for money, time, attention, and similar things.

Is generous to used only for people?

It is mainly used for people, groups, and animals receiving kindness or support.

Can generous in describe personality?

Yes. It can describe someone's behaviour or attitude, such as generous in spirit or generous in praise.

gay-in-for-to-with, by general of, in, for, at or on? "gentle with" or "gentle on"? genuine in, about, to, with or by? germane to, for, in, as or at? "giddy with", "giddy at" or "giddy about"? "gifted with" or "gifted to"? "glad for" or "glad of"? global in, to, with, as or for? "good for" or "good at"? "gorgeous in" or "gorgeous with"? "gracious in" or "gracious to"?

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