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Prepositions after adjectives

Impressive: which preposition is correct?

Impressive can be followed by different prepositions depending on the meaning. Some combinations are fixed, while others simply introduce context.

Quick answer

Common patterns with impressive

Use impressive for to mention the reason or standard, impressive in for an area or skill, and impressive to for the person affected. With and on are less common and usually introduce separate details.

Her progress is impressive for a beginner.
He is impressive in interviews.
The performance was impressive to the audience.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
impressive for + standard/reason

Comparing with expectations

Use for when judging something against a standard or condition.

The score is impressive for a small school.
That speed is impressive for an old computer.
2
impressive in + area

Showing strength in a field or activity

Use in before subjects, skills, or situations.

She is impressive in negotiations.
The team looked impressive in defence.
3
impressive to + person

Describing who feels admiration

Use to before the person receiving the impression.

The proposal sounded impressive to investors.
His calm manner was impressive to the jury.
4
impressive with + noun

Adding a feature or characteristic

With may introduce a feature that accompanies the impressive thing.

She looked impressive with her new hairstyle.
The hall appeared impressive with the lights on.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
impressive in
He is impressive in debates.
Refers to a field or activity.
impressive for
The result is impressive for a new company.
Compares with expectations or standards.
impressive to
The plan was impressive to the committee.
Shows who feels admiration.
impressive with
The actor looked impressive with the costume.
With introduces an accompanying feature.
impressive on
The figures look impressive on paper.
On introduces a surface or medium, not a fixed adjective pattern.

Common mistakes

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

Using to for a field

Use in for areas or activities.

✕ She is impressive to mathematics. ✓ She is impressive in mathematics.

Confusing for and to

For compares against expectations; to identifies the observer.

✕ The result was impressive to a beginner. ✓ The result was impressive for a beginner.

Using on as the main adjective pattern

On usually introduces a surface or medium.

✕ The company is impressive on clients. ✓ The company is impressive to clients.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The athlete was impressive ___ such a young age.
2. She is impressive ___ public speaking.
3. The presentation was impressive ___ the visitors.

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Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

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Frequently asked questions

Can impressive be followed by in?

Yes. Impressive in is common for areas, skills, or situations.

What does impressive for mean?

It compares something with expectations, conditions, or standards.

Is impressive on correct?

Only when on introduces a separate idea such as a surface or medium, for example impressive on paper.

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