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Prepositions after adjectives

Inferior to, in, about, of or for?

Inferior is normally followed by to when comparing quality, status, or ability.

Quick answer

Which preposition is correct with inferior?

Use inferior to for comparisons: inferior to the original version. Inferior in may appear when in introduces a specific quality or area, but not directly as the comparison marker. Inferior about, inferior of, and inferior for are generally nonstandard after the adjective.

This model is inferior to the older one.
The product seems inferior to its competitors.
They felt inferior in technical knowledge.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
inferior to + noun

Comparing quality or status

Use to after inferior when comparing two people or things.

The copy is inferior to the original.
His results were inferior to mine.
2
inferior in + quality/skill

Talking about the area of weakness

In can introduce the aspect in which someone or something is weaker.

The fabric is inferior in durability.
She felt inferior in mathematics.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
inferior to
This phone is inferior to the newer model.
Standard comparison pattern.
inferior in
The material is inferior in quality.
In introduces the area or aspect of weakness.
inferior about
He feels inferior about his accent.
About can follow feels inferior, but not directly as a complement of inferior.
inferior of
This design is inferior of the original.
Nonstandard after inferior.
inferior for
The product is inferior for professional use.
For may introduce purpose, not the comparison after inferior.

Common mistakes

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

Using than instead of to

Inferior is followed by to, not than.

✕ This version is inferior than the first one. ✓ This version is inferior to the first one.

Using of after inferior

Of does not normally follow inferior.

✕ The copy is inferior of the original. ✓ The copy is inferior to the original.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. This fabric is inferior ___ silk.
2. The device is inferior ___ battery life.
3. Which sentence is correct?

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Frequently asked questions

Why does inferior use to instead of than?

Inferior follows the traditional comparison pattern with to, similar to superior to.

Can I use inferior in?

Yes. Use it to mention the area or quality where something is weaker.

Is inferior for correct?

For can introduce purpose in a sentence, but it is not the standard comparison pattern after inferior.

ideal-for-in-as-at, from "identical to" or "identical with"? identifiable by, as, with, in or to? "idle for" or "idle in"? ignorant of, about, to, in or on? "illegal in" or "illegal for"? illustrative of, in, rather or for? ill with, in, for, at or of? "immune to" or "immune from"? "impatient with" or "impatient for"? "imperative for" or "imperative to"? impervious to, from or in?

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