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Preposition after adjective

Insensitive to, in, towards, of or about?

Insensitive to is the standard pattern. Other prepositions are less common and usually have different meanings or structures.

Quick answer

Which preposition follows insensitive?

Use insensitive to for lack of awareness, sympathy, or reaction: insensitive to criticism, insensitive to pain. Insensitive towards is also used, especially for behaviour toward people. Insensitive in usually introduces a specific activity or manner. Insensitive of is not standard. Insensitive about can describe someone's attitude to a topic, but it is less common.

He was insensitive to her feelings.
The skin became insensitive to heat.
She sounded insensitive towards the victims.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
insensitive to + person/thing

Showing lack of awareness or sympathy

This is the standard and most common pattern.

The remark was insensitive to cultural differences.
He seemed insensitive to their concerns.
2
insensitive towards + people/group

Describing behaviour toward others

Towards is common when focusing on treatment of people.

She was insensitive towards junior staff.
The campaign appeared insensitive towards local communities.
3
insensitive in + activity/manner

Describing behaviour in a specific context

In is used with the area or manner where the behaviour occurs.

He was insensitive in the interview.
They were insensitive in handling complaints.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
insensitive to
He is insensitive to criticism.
Standard pattern meaning not responsive or not sympathetic.
insensitive in
She was insensitive in her comments.
Refers to behaviour within a context or action.
insensitive towards
The manager was insensitive towards employees.
Focuses on treatment of people.
insensitive of
They were insensitive of local traditions.
Not standard in current English; use insensitive to instead.
insensitive about
He is insensitive about environmental issues.
Possible but less common; may suggest a careless attitude about a topic.

Common mistakes

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

Using insensitive of

Insensitive of is not standard English.

✕ She was insensitive of their needs. ✓ She was insensitive to their needs.

Confusing insensitive in with insensitive to

To introduces the person or thing affected. In introduces the context.

✕ He was insensitive in her feelings. ✓ He was insensitive to her feelings.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The comment was insensitive ___ the audience.
2. She behaved insensitively ___ her colleagues.
3. He was insensitive ___ handling the complaint.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the standard preposition after insensitive?

Insensitive to is the standard and most common combination.

Is insensitive towards correct?

Yes. It is common when talking about behaviour toward people or groups.

Can I use insensitive of?

No. Insensitive of is not considered standard in current English.

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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