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Prepositions after adjectives

Unkind to, about, of, in, or on?

Unkind most commonly takes to. Other prepositions may appear in specific structures or with separate meanings.

Quick answer

The usual preposition after unkind

Use unkind to for behaviour toward a person or animal. Unkind about and unkind in are possible in specific contexts. Unkind of appears in the pattern It was unkind of someone to do something. Unkind on is uncommon after the adjective.

He was unkind to the new employee.
It was unkind of her to laugh.
She was unkind in her reply.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
unkind to + person/animal

Showing unkind behaviour toward someone

Use unkind to for the person or animal affected.

Please do not be unkind to your sister.
The comment was unkind to older workers.
2
unkind of + person + to-infinitive

Judging someone's action

Use unkind of in the pattern It was unkind of someone to do something.

It was unkind of him to ignore her message.
3
unkind in + behaviour/comment

Describing the manner of behaviour

Use unkind in to specify the action or words that were unkind.

She was unkind in her criticism.
4
unkind about + topic

Speaking harshly about something

Unkind about can describe speech or attitudes concerning a topic.

They were unkind about his appearance.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
unkind to
He was unkind to the waiter.
directed toward a person
unkind of
It was unkind of her to interrupt.
judging someone's action
unkind in
She was unkind in her remarks.
the remarks were unkind
unkind about
They were unkind about his accent.
speaking harshly on a topic
unkind on
The review was unkind on the actor.
not a standard adjective pattern

Common mistakes

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

Using unkind on as a fixed pattern

English does not normally use on directly after unkind.

✕ She was unkind on her colleagues. ✓ She was unkind to her colleagues.

Confusing unkind to and unkind of

Use to for the affected person and of in the structure It was unkind of someone to do something.

✕ It was unkind to him to shout. ✓ It was unkind of him to shout.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The teacher was unkind ___ the student.
2. It was unkind ___ her to make that joke.
3. She was unkind ___ her comments during the meeting.

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Frequently asked questions

Is unkind on correct?

Not usually as a fixed adjective pattern after unkind.

Can I say unkind about someone?

Yes. It often refers to negative comments or attitudes about a person or topic.

What is the difference between unkind to and unkind of?

Unkind to focuses on the person affected. Unkind of is used when judging someone's action.

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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