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Prepositions after adjectives

How to use “ungrateful” with prepositions

Ungrateful to and ungrateful for are both correct, but they refer to different things.

Quick answer

Use “ungrateful to” for people and “ungrateful for” for things

Ungrateful to refers to the person someone fails to appreciate. Ungrateful for refers to the thing, help, or opportunity someone does not appreciate.

He was ungrateful to his parents.
She seemed ungrateful for the support.
They were ungrateful to their teacher.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
ungrateful to + person

Showing lack of appreciation toward someone

Use to before the person receiving the ungrateful behaviour.

She felt he was ungrateful to his family.
They sounded ungrateful to the volunteers.
2
ungrateful for + thing

Showing lack of appreciation for something

Use for before gifts, help, chances, or actions.

He was ungrateful for the opportunity.
The child seemed ungrateful for the present.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
ungrateful to
She was ungrateful to her mentor.
Refers to the person not appreciated.
ungrateful for
He was ungrateful for the advice.
Refers to the thing not appreciated.
ungrateful about
They were ungrateful about the support.
Possible in rare contexts, but for is much more natural.

Common mistakes

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

Using to with things

Use for before objects, help, or opportunities.

✕ She was ungrateful to the gift. ✓ She was ungrateful for the gift.

Using for with people

Use to before the person affected.

✕ He was ungrateful for his mother. ✓ He was ungrateful to his mother.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She was ungrateful ___ her grandparents.
2. He seemed ungrateful ___ the chance to study abroad.
3. Which sentence is correct?

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Frequently asked questions

Can both forms appear in one sentence?

Yes. For example: He was ungrateful to his parents for their support.

Is “ungrateful for” more common?

It is very common because it refers to things, help, and opportunities.

Can I say “ungrateful about”?

It is uncommon and usually less natural than ungrateful for.

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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