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Preposition after adjective

Unaffordable for or unaffordable to?

Unaffordable is most naturally followed by to when naming the person who cannot pay for something.

Quick answer

Which is correct: unaffordable for or unaffordable to?

Use unaffordable to someone as the standard pattern. Unaffordable for someone also appears, especially before a noun, but to is usually more natural after the adjective itself.

unaffordable to many families
unaffordable to students
The plan is unaffordable for small businesses.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
unaffordable to + person or group

Naming who cannot afford something

This is the most common and direct pattern after unaffordable.

unaffordable to young workers
unaffordable to most residents
2
unaffordable for + person or group

Using for in broader contexts

For can appear when discussing suitability or financial burden, especially before a noun phrase.

unaffordable for low-income households
unaffordable for smaller companies
3
make something unaffordable to + group

Showing the effect of price changes

This pattern explains who is priced out of something.

Rising rents made housing unaffordable to local people
The increase made the service unaffordable to pensioners

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
unaffordable to
Private healthcare is unaffordable to many people.
Standard pattern naming who cannot afford something.
unaffordable for
The upgrade would be unaffordable for small firms.
Possible in context, especially when discussing financial practicality.
affordable to
The apartments are affordable to first-time buyers.
The opposite meaning with the same pattern.

Common mistakes

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

Using an unclear subject

Make sure the sentence clearly states what is unaffordable.

✓ The medication is unaffordable to many patients.

Overusing for after the adjective

To is usually the more direct and idiomatic choice after unaffordable.

✕ The tickets are unaffordable for most students. ✓ The tickets are unaffordable to most students.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The rent is unaffordable ___ many young people.
2. The new software would be unaffordable ___ small charities.
3. The price increase made travel unaffordable ___ retirees.

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Frequently asked questions

Is unaffordable to more common than unaffordable for?

Yes. To is the more standard and direct pattern after the adjective.

Can I use unaffordable for?

Yes, especially in broader contexts about cost or practicality for a group.

What is the opposite of unaffordable?

The opposite is affordable.

ubiquitous in, on, across, throughout or for? "ugly in", "ugly for" or "ugly of"? ultimate in, of, for, on or as? "unacceptable to", "unacceptable in" or "unacceptable for"? unaccounted for unaccustomed to or in? unacquainted with unaffected by, in, for or with? unanimous in, on, about, regarding or for? "unattractive to" or "unattractive for"? "unavailable for" or "unavailable to"? unaware of or about?

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