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Prepositions after adjectives

Unjust to or unjust in?

Unjust to refers to unfair treatment of a person or group. Unjust in refers to unfairness within an action, judgement, or behaviour.

Quick answer

Choosing between unjust to and unjust in

Use unjust to before the person affected by unfairness. Use unjust in before the action, criticism, or judgement that is unfair.

The policy was unjust to small businesses.
She was unjust in her criticism of him.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
unjust to + person/group

Showing unfair treatment

Use unjust to for the person or group treated unfairly.

The law seems unjust to low-income workers.
It would be unjust to blame the entire team.
2
unjust in + action/judgement

Showing unfair behaviour

Use unjust in for the action or judgement that contains unfairness.

He was unjust in his remarks.
The editor was unjust in rejecting the article so quickly.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
unjust to
The decision was unjust to employees.
employees received unfair treatment
unjust in
She was unjust in her assumptions.
the assumptions were unfair
unjust about
He was unjust about the situation.
less natural; use unjust in for criticism or judgement
unjust with
The coach was unjust with the players.
nonstandard; use unjust to

Common mistakes

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

Using unjust with

English normally uses to after unjust when naming the affected person.

✕ The rule was unjust with students. ✓ The rule was unjust to students.

Using to for behaviour

Use in when describing the unfair action itself.

✕ She was unjust to her comments. ✓ She was unjust in her comments.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The punishment was unjust ___ the child.
2. He was unjust ___ accusing her without evidence.
3. Which sentence is standard?

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Frequently asked questions

Can unjust in and unjust to appear in one sentence?

Yes. For example: The manager was unjust to staff in her evaluation.

Is unjust with correct?

It is not the usual modern English pattern after unjust.

Does unjust in only refer to actions?

It can refer to actions, comments, criticism, judgements, or behaviour.

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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