Sign In Get Started
Prepositions after adjectives

uneasy about or uneasy with

Both uneasy about and uneasy with are standard, but they express slightly different meanings.

Quick answer

What is the difference between uneasy about and uneasy with?

Use uneasy about for worries, situations, or future events. Use uneasy with for discomfort involving a person, arrangement, idea, or level of familiarity.

She felt uneasy about the decision.
I'm uneasy with this proposal.
He seemed uneasy with strangers.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
uneasy about + situation

Feeling worried or anxious about something

Use about for concerns, uncertainty, or possible problems.

Many investors are uneasy about inflation.
She grew uneasy about the sudden silence.
2
uneasy with + person/thing

Feeling uncomfortable with someone or something

Use with for relationships, behaviour, arrangements, or unfamiliar situations.

He felt uneasy with the new manager.
Some voters are uneasy with the policy changes.
3
uneasy with + doing something

Feeling uncomfortable performing an action

With can also be followed by a gerund.

She is uneasy with speaking in public.
They seemed uneasy with sharing personal details.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
uneasy about
I feel uneasy about the negotiations.
Used for worries and concerns.
uneasy with
She is uneasy with the new system.
Used for discomfort or lack of ease with a person, thing, or activity.
uneasy around
He feels uneasy around large dogs.
Useful alternative for discomfort near certain people or things.
uneasy at
She looked uneasy at the suggestion.
At can introduce the immediate cause of a reaction.

Common mistakes

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

Using about for people instead of situations

With is often more natural for discomfort involving people.

✕ He felt uneasy about his new colleagues. ✓ He felt uneasy with his new colleagues.

Using with for abstract worries

About is usually better for concerns and uncertainty.

✕ They are uneasy with the economic outlook. ✓ They are uneasy about the economic outlook.

Confusing uneasy and unsure

Uneasy suggests discomfort or anxiety, not simply lack of knowledge.

✓ She felt uneasy about the interview.

Using uneasy to for the object of concern

Uneasy is not normally followed by to in this meaning.

✕ I am uneasy to the proposal. ✓ I am uneasy about the proposal.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Many residents are uneasy ___ the rising costs.
2. She felt uneasy ___ the unfamiliar environment.
3. He is uneasy ___ speaking in front of large groups.

Check your sentence in context

Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

Free to try · No signup required

Frequently asked questions

Can uneasy about and uneasy with both be correct?

Yes. The choice depends on whether you mean worry about something or discomfort with something.

Is uneasy with people natural?

Yes. It commonly describes discomfort or lack of ease with a person or group.

Can uneasy with be followed by a gerund?

Yes. Sentences like uneasy with speaking publicly are natural English.

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"?

Write with confidence in Linguix

Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.

Create a free account