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Prepositions after adjectives

Horrible with prepositions

Horrible can combine with several prepositions depending on meaning. The preposition usually changes the relationship being described.

Quick answer

Which prepositions go with horrible?

Horrible for describes negative effects. Horrible to often describes behaviour toward someone. Horrible at refers to poor skill. Horrible about means unpleasant or insensitive concerning a topic. Horrible in usually introduces a situation or environment.

Smoking is horrible for your health.
He was horrible to his staff.
I'm horrible at drawing.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
horrible for + person/thing

Describing harmful effects

Use horrible for when something has bad consequences.

Too much stress is horrible for sleep.
2
horrible to + person

Describing bad behaviour

Use horrible to for cruel or unpleasant treatment.

She was horrible to her brother.
3
horrible at + activity

Talking about poor ability

Use horrible at for lack of skill.

I'm horrible at parking.
4
horrible about + topic

Showing attitude toward a subject

Use horrible about when discussing behaviour concerning something.

He was horrible about returning calls.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
horrible for
Fast food is horrible for your heart.
harmful effect
horrible to
They were horrible to the waiter.
bad treatment toward someone
horrible at
I'm horrible at names.
poor skill
horrible in
Traffic is horrible in the city centre.
in introduces a situation or place
horrible about
She was horrible about deadlines.
bad attitude or behaviour concerning something

Common mistakes

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

Using horrible at for behaviour

At usually refers to skill, not treatment of people.

✕ He was horrible at me. ✓ He was horrible to me.

Confusing horrible for and horrible to

For describes effect; to describes behaviour toward people.

✓ Smoking is horrible for you.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. He was horrible ___ the new employee.
2. This diet is horrible ___ your energy levels.
3. I'm horrible ___ remembering birthdays.

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Frequently asked questions

Can horrible at describe skills?

Yes. Horrible at is common for poor ability.

What is the difference between horrible to and horrible for?

Horrible to refers to behaviour toward people. Horrible for refers to harmful effects.

Is horrible in a fixed pattern?

Usually no. In often introduces a place or situation.

halfway-through-between-up-down, to "handmade by" or "handmade in"? "hands-on with" or "hands-on in"? "handy for" or "handy in"? "happy with", "happy about" or "happy for"? hard for, on, at, of or in? harmful to, for, in, by or of? "harmless from" or "harmless to"? harsh on, in, for, with or to? "hateful to", "hateful towards" or "hateful of"? "hazardous to" or "hazardous for"? "head-to-head with" or "head-to-head in"?

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