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Preposition after adjective

Interesting: to, for, in, about, or with?

The adjective 'interesting' is most commonly used with 'to' to name the person who finds something engaging. Other prepositions may appear in different sentence structures.

Quick answer

Which prepositions are used with 'interesting'?

'Interesting to' is the main pattern when naming the person affected. 'Interesting about' can introduce a specific aspect or feature. 'Interesting in' and 'interesting with' are generally not standard after the adjective 'interesting'. 'Interesting for' usually means suitable or beneficial for someone, not simply engaging.

The documentary was interesting to children.
What's interesting about the report is the conclusion.
This game is interesting for beginners because it is easy to learn.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
interesting to + person

Showing who finds something engaging

Use 'interesting to' to identify the person or group that finds something engaging or worth attention.

The lecture was interesting to medical students.
This topic may be interesting to investors.
2
interesting about + noun

Pointing to a notable aspect

Use 'interesting about' to introduce the feature or detail that stands out.

The most interesting about the case was the final interview.
What's interesting about the design is its simplicity.
3
interesting for + person

Talking about usefulness or suitability

Use 'interesting for' when something is relevant, useful, or appropriate for a group in a particular context.

The workshop was interesting for new managers.
These statistics are interesting for market researchers.
4
interesting + noun clause

Introducing information directly

You can use 'interesting' without a preposition before a clause or statement.

It's interesting that nobody complained.
I found it interesting how quickly they adapted.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
interesting to
The exhibition was interesting to tourists.
Standard pattern showing who finds something engaging.
interesting for
The guide is interesting for beginner photographers.
Can suggest relevance, usefulness, or suitability in context.
interesting about
What's interesting about the film is the ending.
Used to highlight a particular aspect or feature.
interesting in
Learners sometimes say 'interesting in science', but standard English usually uses 'interested in science' or 'interesting to scientists'.
Generally nonstandard after 'interesting'.
interesting with
'Interesting with' is not a usual pattern after the adjective 'interesting'.
Use another structure such as 'interesting to' or 'interesting because of'.

Common mistakes

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

Using 'interesting in' after the adjective

English does not normally use 'interesting in' to describe engagement.

✕ The book is interesting in teenagers. ✓ The book is interesting to teenagers.

Using 'interesting with' as a fixed pattern

'Interesting with' is generally not idiomatic after the adjective 'interesting'.

✕ The lesson was interesting with students. ✓ The lesson was interesting to students.

Confusing 'interesting' and 'interested'

'Interesting' describes the thing. 'Interested' describes the person's feeling.

✕ She is interesting in chemistry. ✓ She is interested in chemistry.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The documentary was interesting ___ historians.
2. What's interesting ___ the article is the final paragraph.
3. Which sentence is standard English?

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Frequently asked questions

Is 'interesting in' correct?

Usually no. English normally uses 'interested in' for feelings or 'interesting to' for the thing that creates interest.

Can I use 'interesting about'?

Yes. It is common when highlighting a feature or detail, as in 'What's interesting about the plan is its cost'.

What does 'interesting for' mean?

It often suggests that something is relevant, suitable, or useful for a particular group, not only engaging.

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