Preparing for the 'oposiciones': adjectives + preposition

Today we're going to have a look at adjectives followed by a preposition. In many cases, the preposition in question coincides with the one used in Spanish, v.g. accustomed to (acostumbrado a), accused of (acusado de), famous for (famoso,-a por), etc, but in other cases, the prepositions are different in English and in Spanish, v.g. wanting in (carente de), terrible at (pésimo haciendo algo), swarming with (lleno/plagado de), etc.

EXERCISE

Fill in the gaps with the correct prepositions:

1.- She's very skilful .......... drawing.
2.- The poor girl was shivering ..........cold.
3.- He was shocked ...... his friend's sudden death.
4.- He was red ..... rage.
5.- It was the Prince alright, I'm positive ....... it.
6.- His wife was mad ...... him for forgetting their wedding anniversary.
7.- You're lacking .....tact.
8.- Imperfection is inherent .... human nature.
9.- Don't go near him, you'll get infected ..... the flu.
10.- Don't be too hard .... the poor boy.
11.- The wound proved fatal ..... him.
12.- He was delighted ..... the news.
13.- Cervantes was contemporary .... Shakespeare.
14.- She's clever .... languages.
15.- He's bound ..... his promise.
16.- The cheese was alive .... worms.
17.- I'm acquainted ...... her work.
18.- They're overwhelmed ..... debts.
19.- The farmers are worried ..... the drought.
20.- She's partial ......Irish cake.

KEY

1.- at; 2.- with; 3.- at/by; 4.- with; 5.- about; 6.- at; 7.- in; 8.- in; 9.- with; 10.- on; 11.- to; 12.- at/by/with; 13.- with; 14.- at; 15.- by; 16.- with; 17.- with; 18.- with; 19.- about; 20.- to.

For more information about adjective + preposition, see my Gramática Inglesa, 9ª ed., Pearson-Longman, appendix 6, pp. 644-662.