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Preposition after adjective

Unworthy of vs. other prepositions

Unworthy is normally followed by of when referring to something a person does not deserve or does not match.

Quick answer

Which preposition follows unworthy?

Use unworthy of for the standard meaning: not deserving something or not suitable for it. Unworthy for and unworthy in are generally not standard combinations with this adjective.

He felt unworthy of their trust.
The remark was unworthy of a professional leader.
She considered herself unworthy of praise.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
unworthy of + noun

Saying someone does not deserve something

Use unworthy of before nouns such as praise, trust, or attention.

They were judged unworthy of public support.
The article is unworthy of serious discussion.
2
unworthy of + title/role

Showing someone does not meet a standard

This pattern means someone does not deserve a title or position.

He proved unworthy of the office he held.
The team was unworthy of the championship.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
unworthy of
She felt unworthy of the award.
not deserving or suitable for something
unworthy for
The phrase unworthy for the role is nonstandard in current English.
not an idiomatic fixed combination
unworthy in
He was unworthy in conduct and attitude.
in introduces the area of judgement, not a standard adjective-preposition pattern
unworthy to
They considered him unworthy to lead.
less common than unworthy of leading or unworthy of the position

Common mistakes

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

Using for after unworthy

Use of after unworthy in standard English.

✕ She felt unworthy for the honour. ✓ She felt unworthy of the honour.

Using in as the main complement

In can introduce an area or respect, but not the core complement after unworthy.

✕ He is unworthy in their trust. ✓ He is unworthy of their trust.

Overusing unworthy to

Of is usually more natural.

✕ He was unworthy to the position. ✓ He was unworthy of the position.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She considered herself unworthy ___ praise.
2. Which phrase is standard English?
3. The critic called the film unworthy ___ serious attention.

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Frequently asked questions

Is unworthy of the most common pattern?

Yes. It is the standard and widely accepted combination.

Can I use unworthy for?

Not usually. English normally uses unworthy of instead.

Can in appear after unworthy?

Yes, but usually as a separate adjunct, such as unworthy in conduct, not as the main complement.

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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