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Preposition after adjective

Stingy with, about, on, in or to?

Stingy is most commonly followed by with. Other prepositions are possible in specific contexts, while some combinations are uncommon.

Quick answer

Which prepositions are used with stingy?

Use stingy with for things someone does not like giving or spending. Stingy about and stingy on are also possible in specific contexts. Stingy in and stingy to are uncommon after the adjective stingy.

He is stingy with money.
The company is stingy about details.
They were stingy on portions.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
stingy with + resource

Not generous with money, time, or praise

With is the standard preposition after stingy.

She is stingy with compliments.
2
stingy about + information

Reluctant to share information

About is used for topics or details someone avoids sharing.

The witness was stingy about the facts.
3
stingy on + amount

Providing too little of something

On is used when talking about low spending or small quantities.

The café was stingy on cheese.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
stingy with
He is stingy with his time.
Not willing to give much of something.
stingy about
She is stingy about personal information.
Reluctant to discuss or reveal something.
stingy on
The hotel was stingy on towels.
Providing too little.
stingy in
They were stingy in their donations.
Possible but less natural than stingy with.
stingy to
He was stingy to his staff.
Not a standard combination; use stingy with or mean to instead.

Common mistakes

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

Using stingy to for possessions or money

Use with for things someone does not give freely.

✕ She is stingy to money. ✓ She is stingy with money.

Overusing stingy in

With is usually more idiomatic.

✕ They are stingy in praise. ✓ They are stingy with praise.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. He is stingy ___ tips.
2. The report was stingy ___ details.
3. The restaurant was stingy ___ portions.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the most common preposition after stingy?

With is the standard and most widely used choice.

Can I say stingy about details?

Yes. It means unwilling to share details.

Is stingy to correct?

It is generally not idiomatic after stingy. Use with instead.

sacred-to-in-by-of, for "sad for" or "sad about"? "safe for", "safe from" or "safe in"? sanguine about, in, of, on or for? "satisfactory to" or "satisfactory for"? satisfied with, of, by, in or on? "satisfying for" or "satisfying to"? scarce in, for, at, on or of? scared of, to, about, for or by? "scary for" or "scary to"? "scathing about", "scathing in" or "scathing of"? "sceptical about" or "sceptical of"?

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