word choice What preposition is used after “enthusiastic”: “for” or “about”? English Language & Usage Stack Exchange
Problems arise when enthused is used as a past-participle adjective in place of enthusiastic, which is a perfectly good, and far older, word. Plus, the adjective enthused can carry an ironic tone and is difficult to use in earnest. In my view, uncertainty about whether to choose “enthusiastic for” or “enthusiastic about” is due to the influence of a separate pair of phrases—”enthusiasm for” and enthusiasm about.” The problem is that “for” is the more common preposition in one of the phrase pairs and “about” is in the other. The obvious difference between the two questions is that the headline question asks whether to use for or about after the word enthusiastic, while the body text question asks about whether to use for or about after the phrase “enthusiastic and hopeful.” Because readers are far more likely to run afoul of the headline question than of the body text question, my answer addresses the former. The Oxford Collocation Dictionary says that your preposition should be either “about” or “in”.
- Usually, the act of expressing enthusiasm; less often, making someone else enthusiastic.
- The obvious difference between the two questions is that the headline question asks whether to use for or about after the word enthusiastic, while the body text question asks about whether to use for or about after the phrase “enthusiastic and hopeful.” Because readers are far more likely to run afoul of the headline question than of the body text question, my answer addresses the former.
- Problems arise when enthused is used as a past-participle adjective in place of enthusiastic, which is a perfectly good, and far older, word.
- In my view, uncertainty about whether to choose “enthusiastic for” or “enthusiastic about” is due to the influence of a separate pair of phrases—”enthusiasm for” and enthusiasm about.” The problem is that “for” is the more common preposition in one of the phrase pairs and “about” is in the other.
- Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search.
You must log in to answer this question.
Since “enthusiastic in” should refer to some action, and you’re talking about the things (ideas – whatever), I suppose that “enthusiastic about” is your best and obvious gross income vs net income choice. Usually, the act of expressing enthusiasm; less often, making someone else enthusiastic. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Stack Exchange network consists of 183 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers.
- Usually, the act of expressing enthusiasm; less often, making someone else enthusiastic.
- Plus, the adjective enthused can carry an ironic tone and is difficult to use in earnest.
- The Oxford Collocation Dictionary says that your preposition should be either “about” or “in”.
- Since “enthusiastic in” should refer to some action, and you’re talking about the things (ideas – whatever), I suppose that “enthusiastic about” is your best and obvious choice.
- The obvious difference between the two questions is that the headline question asks whether to use for or about after the word enthusiastic, while the body text question asks about whether to use for or about after the phrase “enthusiastic and hopeful.” Because readers are far more likely to run afoul of the headline question than of the body text question, my answer addresses the former.