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Prepositions after adjectives

Irresistible: which preposition follows it?

Irresistible is most commonly followed by to when describing who cannot resist something. Other prepositions may appear in different sentence structures but are usually not selected directly by irresistible.

Quick answer

Most common pattern

Use irresistible to + person or group to show who finds something impossible to resist. Irresistible for is also used when something is beneficial or strongly appealing for a purpose or audience. Irresistible in, about, and at are usually separate adjuncts, not fixed combinations with irresistible.

The dessert was irresistible to the children.
The offer proved irresistible to many investors.
This game is irresistible for casual players.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
irresistible to + person

Who cannot resist something?

Use irresistible to to name the person or group strongly attracted to something.

The melody was irresistible to her.
The campaign became irresistible to younger voters.
2
irresistible for + audience/purpose

Who is it especially suitable or appealing for?

Irresistible for can describe something especially attractive or effective for a certain audience or use.

The low price is irresistible for budget travellers.
The app is irresistible for people who enjoy puzzles.
3
irresistible in + place/context

Where or in what context?

In is usually an adjunct showing place or context, not a fixed preposition after irresistible.

She looked irresistible in that red jacket.
The actor was irresistible in the final scene.
4
irresistible about + noun

What quality creates attraction?

About introduces the thing or quality being discussed, not a standard adjective-preposition pattern selected by irresistible.

There is something irresistible about his humour.
People found something irresistible about the café's atmosphere.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
irresistible to
The idea was irresistible to the committee.
The committee could not resist the idea.
irresistible for
The package deal is irresistible for first-time buyers.
Especially attractive or advantageous for a group.
irresistible in
She looked irresistible in black.
In introduces clothing or context, not the object of attraction.
irresistible about
There is something irresistible about the song.
About introduces the quality being discussed.
irresistible at
He is irresistible at parties.
At introduces a situation or place, not a fixed complement of irresistible.

Common mistakes

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

Using for instead of to for the affected person

Use irresistible to when naming who cannot resist something.

✕ The smell was irresistible for me. ✓ The smell was irresistible to me.

Treating in as a fixed complement

In usually gives context such as clothing, place, or situation.

✕ The cake was irresistible in the guests. ✓ The cake was irresistible to the guests.

Using at for the person affected

At normally introduces a location or event, not the person attracted.

✕ She was irresistible at him. ✓ She was irresistible to him.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The proposal was irresistible ___ investors.
2. There is something irresistible ___ that old bookstore.
3. She looked irresistible ___ her wedding dress.

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Frequently asked questions

Is irresistible to the most common pattern?

Yes. Use irresistible to when someone cannot resist a thing, person, or idea.

Can I say irresistible for?

Yes. It is natural when describing something especially attractive or suitable for a group or purpose.

Is irresistible about correct?

Yes, in sentences such as there is something irresistible about him. Here about introduces the topic or quality discussed.

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