Sign In Get Started
Prepositions after adjectives

How to use “unfriendly” with prepositions

Unfriendly is most commonly followed by to, towards, or toward when describing behaviour directed at someone or something.

Quick answer

Use “unfriendly to” or “unfriendly towards/toward”

Unfriendly to is the most common and neutral pattern. Unfriendly towards and unfriendly toward are also natural, especially when describing attitude or behaviour. Unfriendly for and unfriendly in are not standard complements after unfriendly.

The staff were unfriendly to visitors.
He sounded unfriendly towards new employees.
The policy is unfriendly toward small companies.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
unfriendly to + person/thing

Describing negative behaviour

This is the standard pattern in everyday English.

She was unfriendly to her neighbours.
The software is unfriendly to beginners.
2
unfriendly towards/toward + person

Describing attitude or manner

Towards is common in British English; toward is more common in American English.

He became unfriendly towards the new manager.
The comment sounded unfriendly toward immigrants.
3
unfriendly in + situation

Using in as a separate adjunct

In usually introduces a situation or setting rather than complementing unfriendly directly.

She seemed unfriendly in meetings but relaxed later.
He appeared unfriendly in public.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
unfriendly to
They were unfriendly to tourists.
Standard and neutral pattern.
unfriendly towards
She was unfriendly towards her colleague.
Emphasises attitude or behaviour.
unfriendly toward
The rules are unfriendly toward small firms.
American English variant of towards.
unfriendly for
The manager was unfriendly for new staff.
Not a standard complement after unfriendly.
unfriendly in
He looked unfriendly in photos.
In introduces context or setting, not the target of the attitude.

Common mistakes

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

Using for after unfriendly

For is not normally used after unfriendly.

✕ She was unfriendly for guests. ✓ She was unfriendly to guests.

Confusing to and in

Use to for the target of the behaviour.

✕ They were unfriendly in me. ✓ They were unfriendly to me.

Using toward without an object

Toward and towards normally need a target.

✕ He was unfriendly toward. ✓ He was unfriendly toward the customers.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The receptionist was unfriendly ___ us.
2. She became unfriendly ___ her teammates.
3. Which sentence is most natural?

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

What is the difference between toward and towards?

They have the same meaning. Toward is more common in American English, while towards is more common in British English.

Can objects be unfriendly?

Yes. Products, systems, and policies can be described as unfriendly to users or groups.

Is “unfriendly for” correct?

No. English normally uses unfriendly to or unfriendly towards/toward.

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