intolerant of + thing/person
Showing unwillingness to accept something
This is the standard general pattern.
The manager was intolerant of delays.
Intolerant of, to, towards, in or with?
Intolerant is most commonly followed by of. Intolerant to also appears, especially in medical contexts. Other prepositions usually express separate ideas, not the standard adjective pattern.
Quick answer
Which preposition goes with intolerant?
Use intolerant of for attitudes and behaviour: intolerant of criticism. Intolerant to is mainly used in medicine or biology: intolerant to lactose. Towards, in, and with usually introduce separate meanings or adjuncts.
She is intolerant of rude behaviour.
Many people are intolerant to lactose.
He became more intolerant towards opposing views.
Many people are intolerant to lactose.
He became more intolerant towards opposing views.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
intolerant to + substance
Medical or biological reactions
Often used for food, medicine, or environmental sensitivity.
She is intolerant to gluten.
intolerant towards + group/opinion
Attitude directed at someone
Towards can describe the direction of intolerance rather than the fixed adjective pattern.
The regime was intolerant towards dissenters.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
intolerant of
They are intolerant of noise.
standard general use
intolerant to
He is intolerant to certain antibiotics.
common in medical contexts
intolerant towards
She sounded intolerant towards new ideas.
directed attitude toward someone or something
intolerant in
He was intolerant in debates.
in introduces a situation, not the complement of intolerant
intolerant with
The coach was intolerant with repeated excuses.
less common; often replaced by of
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using to in general attitude contexts
For opinions and behaviour, of is usually more natural.
✕ They are intolerant to criticism. ✓ They are intolerant of criticism.Confusing medical and social meanings
To is common for physical intolerance.
✕ She is intolerant of milk. ✓ She is intolerant to milk.Using in as the main complement
In usually introduces a context, not the object of intolerance.
✕ He is intolerant in mistakes. ✓ He is intolerant of mistakes.Overusing with
With is less idiomatic after intolerant.
✕ She is intolerant with delays. ✓ She is intolerant of delays.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The editor is intolerant ___ factual errors.
2. Some children are intolerant ___ dairy products.
3. The group became intolerant ___ outsiders.
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Frequently asked questions
Is intolerant of the most common form?
Yes. It is the standard pattern for opinions, behaviour, and attitudes.
Can I say intolerant to?
Yes, especially for medical or biological intolerance such as food intolerance.
Is intolerant with correct?
It appears occasionally, but intolerant of is usually more natural.
Related preposition guides
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