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Prepositions after adjectives

Insulting to, in, for, of or about?

Insulting to is the standard pattern for describing offensive behaviour toward someone.

Quick answer

How do you use insulting?

Use insulting to when something offends or disrespects someone. Other prepositions usually introduce separate details rather than direct complements.

His remark was insulting to the staff.
The offer felt insulting to experienced workers.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
insulting to + person/group

Causing offence

To introduces the person affected.

The joke was insulting to many listeners.
2
insulting about + topic

Discussing what is offensive

About can introduce the subject being discussed.

There was nothing insulting about the question.
3
insulting in + manner

Describing the way something is offensive

In usually introduces manner or wording.

She was insulting in her response.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
insulting to
The comment was insulting to her family.
standard pattern for offence
insulting about
What was insulting about the article?
focus on the offensive aspect
insulting in
He was insulting in tone.
describes manner or respect
insulting for
That price is insulting for customers.
less natural; to is preferred
insulting of
This pattern is nonstandard.
not idiomatic English

Common mistakes

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

Using of after insulting

Of is not used directly after insulting.

✕ The remark was insulting of me. ✓ The remark was insulting to me.

Using for instead of to

To is the normal preposition for the affected person.

✕ The joke was insulting for her. ✓ The joke was insulting to her.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The article was insulting ___ older readers.
2. There was nothing insulting ___ his question.
3. Which phrase is nonstandard?

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Frequently asked questions

What is the standard preposition after insulting?

Insulting to is the normal pattern.

Can I say insulting about?

Yes, when discussing what is offensive about something.

Is insulting for correct?

It is less natural in most cases. To is usually preferred.

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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