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Prepositions after adjectives

Unbearable for, in, or to

Unbearable often appears with for or to. In usually introduces a place or situation rather than directly following the adjective.

Quick answer

How do you use unbearable with prepositions?

Use unbearable for to say who suffers from something. Use unbearable to before a verb phrase. In usually describes the situation or place where something is unbearable.

The heat was unbearable for the runners.
The noise became unbearable to listen to.
It was unbearable in the crowded room.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
unbearable for + person

Showing who is affected

Use unbearable for to identify the person or group that cannot tolerate something.

The pressure was unbearable for new staff.
Long flights are unbearable for him.
2
unbearable to + verb

Describing an intolerable action or experience

Use unbearable to before an infinitive phrase.

The music was unbearable to hear at that volume.
It became unbearable to watch the argument continue.
3
unbearable in + place/situation

Adding context with in

In usually introduces the environment where something feels unbearable, not the object of the adjective itself.

The office was silent and unbearable in the late afternoon heat.
Life felt unbearable in complete isolation.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
unbearable for
The waiting was unbearable for the children.
shows who experiences the discomfort
unbearable to
The smell was unbearable to breathe in.
describes an intolerable action or experience
unbearable in
The apartment was unbearable in summer.
adds a place or situation
bearable for
The journey was bearable for most passengers.
opposite meaning with the same pattern

Common mistakes

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

Using to before a person

For is normally used before the affected person.

✕ The noise was unbearable to my neighbours. ✓ The noise was unbearable for my neighbours.

Treating in as the main complement

In usually adds location or context.

✓ The heat was unbearable in the small kitchen.

Using a bare verb after unbearable

Use an infinitive after unbearable to.

✕ It was unbearable hear the alarm. ✓ It was unbearable to hear the alarm.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The workload became unbearable ___ the interns.
2. The speech was unbearable ___ listen to.
3. It was unbearable ___ the tiny office during August.

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Frequently asked questions

Can unbearable be followed directly by a noun?

Yes. For example: unbearable pain or unbearable pressure.

Is unbearable to someone correct?

It is uncommon for affected people. Unbearable for someone is usually more natural.

Can in follow unbearable?

Yes, when it introduces a place, condition, or situation.

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? "unaffordable for" or "unaffordable to"? unanimous in, on, about, regarding or for? "unattractive to" or "unattractive for"? "unavailable for" or "unavailable to"?

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