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Prepositions after adjectives

How to use radical with prepositions

Radical is often followed by in when describing an area of belief or action. Radical for is uncommon after the adjective and usually sounds unnatural.

Quick answer

Preferred construction

Use radical in to describe the field, area, or aspect in which someone or something is radical. Radical for is not usually idiomatic after the adjective radical.

She was considered radical in her political views.
The company became radical in its approach to design.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
radical in + field

Extreme or revolutionary in an area

Use radical in to show the area where ideas or behaviour are unconventional.

They were radical in their teaching methods.
He became radical in environmental politics.
2
radical in + approach

Describing methods or style

Radical in can describe innovative or extreme approaches.

The reforms were radical in scope and ambition.
The artist is radical in her use of colour.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
radical in
The group was radical in its demands.
extreme or revolutionary in a specific area
radical for
Radical for young voters sounds awkward in this meaning.
not a standard complement after radical
radical about
She is radical about climate action.
possible in informal English to show strong enthusiasm
radical on
He holds radical views on education.
on introduces the topic of the views

Common mistakes

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

Using radical for after the adjective

For usually does not directly follow radical in this meaning.

✕ They are radical for tax reform. ✓ They are radical in their views on tax reform.

Confusing in with on

In describes the area of radicalism, while on introduces a topic.

✓ She is radical in her methods and radical on housing policy.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The movement was radical ___ its proposals.
2. He has radical views ___ immigration.
3. Which phrase is generally nonstandard?

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Frequently asked questions

Can radical for ever be correct?

For may appear in other structures, but it is not the normal preposition directly after the adjective radical.

What does radical in mean?

It means extreme, innovative, or revolutionary in a particular area.

Can I say radical on an issue?

Yes. Radical on introduces the topic of opinions or policies.

racist-in-against-for-to, towards rampant in, among, with, on or throughout? "rare in" or "rare for"? "rational for" or "rational in"? "raw in", "raw for" or "raw with"? reachable by, from, on, in or through? "reactive to", "reactive rather" or "reactive in"? ready for, to, in, at or by? "realistic about" or "realistic in"? "real to", "real for" or "real in"? rearing of, as or on? "reasonable for" or "reasonable in"?

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