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Prepositions after adjectives

Unprecedented in, for, at, with or since

Several prepositions can appear near unprecedented, but they do not all work the same way. The most common adjective pattern is unprecedented in.

Quick answer

Which combinations are standard?

Use unprecedented in for areas, situations, or fields. Unprecedented for is also used when comparing with what is normal for a person, group, or period. At, with, and since usually belong to separate time or context phrases rather than fixed adjective patterns.

The country faced unprecedented in modern history levels of migration.
The result was unprecedented for the company.
Prices rose at unprecedented speed.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
unprecedented in + area

Showing where something has never happened before

Use in for a field, period, or context.

The change was unprecedented in the industry.
2
unprecedented for + person or group

Comparing with normal experience

For refers to what is unusual for someone or something.

Such losses are unprecedented for a small business.
3
at unprecedented + noun

Using unprecedented before nouns

At is not selected by unprecedented itself. It belongs to phrases such as at unprecedented levels or at unprecedented speed.

The river rose at unprecedented levels.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
unprecedented in
Growth was unprecedented in the sector.
The situation had no earlier example in that field.
unprecedented for
The heat was unprecedented for April.
It was unusual compared with normal April conditions.
unprecedented at
Sales increased at unprecedented rates.
At introduces the noun phrase rates; it is not a fixed adjective pattern.
unprecedented with
The team worked with unprecedented efficiency.
With introduces a manner phrase, not a standard adjective complement.
unprecedented since
The city has seen changes unprecedented since the war.
This wording is uncommon and often rewritten more clearly.

Common mistakes

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

Treating at as the adjective's fixed preposition

At usually belongs to a following noun phrase.

✕ The policy is unprecedented at the company. ✓ The policy is unprecedented in the company.

Using with as a direct complement

With normally introduces manner or accompanying details.

✕ The situation was unprecedented with the industry. ✓ The situation was unprecedented in the industry.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The event was unprecedented ___ local politics.
2. The losses were unprecedented ___ the organisation.
3. Traffic moved at unprecedented ___ during the storm.

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Frequently asked questions

Is unprecedented in the most common pattern?

Yes. It is the main pattern for areas, periods, and situations.

Can unprecedented for refer to time periods?

Yes. For example: unprecedented for this season.

Is unprecedented since natural English?

It is uncommon. Writers often use structures such as unprecedented in recent years instead.

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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