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Prepositions after boast

“boast of” or “boast about”?

Both boast of and boast about are standard. They are close in meaning, but boast of is often slightly more formal.

Quick answer

How to use boast with prepositions

Use boast of or boast about to talk proudly about achievements, qualities, or possessions. Boast of is often more formal or literary, while boast about is more conversational.

He likes to boast about his new car.
The company boasts of a long history.
She boasted about winning the award.
The hotel boasts of excellent service.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
boast about + achievement

Talking proudly in conversation

Use boast about in everyday speech when discussing achievements or possessions.

They boasted about their exam results.
2
boast of + quality

Describing notable qualities

Use boast of for qualities, features, or advantages, especially in formal writing.

The town boasts of beautiful beaches.
3
boast about + person

Speaking proudly about someone

Boast about can introduce a person or relationship.

He boasted about his talented daughter.
4
boast of + possession

Emphasising possession or distinction

Boast of can highlight something possessed or available.

The museum boasts of a rare collection.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
boast of
The university boasts of excellent research facilities.
formal or descriptive praise of qualities or possessions
boast about
She boasted about her promotion.
speaking proudly about something
boast to someone
He boasted to his friends about the trip.
the listener is introduced with to
boast that + clause
They boasted that they had never lost a match.
followed by a full statement

Common mistakes

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

Using boast with no object in this meaning

Boast usually needs a topic introduced by of, about, or a clause.

✕ He boasted all evening. ✓ He boasted about his success all evening.

Confusing boast of and proud of

Boast describes speaking proudly, not simply feeling proud.

✕ She boasts of her son quietly. ✓ She is proud of her son.

Using boast about for institutional descriptions

Formal descriptions often prefer boast of.

✕ The resort boasts about luxury suites. ✓ The resort boasts of luxury suites.

Forgetting about after the listener

Use about after naming the person listening.

✕ He boasted to me his salary. ✓ He boasted to me about his salary.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The castle ___ a rich history.
2. She kept ___ her new phone.
3. He boasted to us ___ his achievements.

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Frequently asked questions

Are boast of and boast about both correct?

Yes. Both are standard, though boast of is often more formal.

Can boast be followed directly by a clause?

Yes. You can say boast that followed by a full statement.

Is boast always negative?

Not always, but it often suggests excessive pride.

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