Question

Find the correct preposition: She is interested _____ learning foreign languages.

• A. On
• B. With
• C. In
• D. At

Hint:

To master adjective-preposition pairs:
- Learn common collocations: "interested in," "good at," "afraid of."
- Practice with gerunds: "interested in learning," "good at drawing."
- Test sentences: If "interested on learning" sounds wrong, try "interested in learning."

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

To determine the correct preposition for the sentence "She is interested \underline{\hspace{1cm}} learning foreign languages," we need to identify the preposition that correctly pairs with the adjective "interested" in English grammar.
This question tests your knowledge of adjective-preposition collocations, which are specific combinations of adjectives and prepositions that are standard in English.
Step 1: Understand the Adjective "Interested"
The adjective "interested" describes a state of wanting to know or learn about something.
In English, "interested" is typically followed by a preposition to indicate what someone is interested in.
The phrase "learning foreign languages" is a gerund phrase (a verb form acting as a noun), so we need a preposition that works with "interested" and a gerund.
Step 2: Analyze Option A - "On"
Option A suggests the preposition "on," making the sentence: "She is interested on learning foreign languages."
The preposition "on" typically indicates a surface, time, or topic (e.g., "on the table," "on Monday," "a book on history").
However, "interested on" is not a standard collocation in English.
Saying "interested on learning" sounds unnatural to native speakers and is grammatically incorrect.
For example, "She is interested on studying" would not be used; instead, we say "interested in studying."
Therefore, option A is incorrect.
Step 3: Analyze Option B - "With"
Option B suggests the preposition "with," making the sentence: "She is interested with learning foreign languages."
The preposition "with" often indicates association or means (e.g., "happy with the results," "help with homework").
However, "interested with" is not a standard collocation.
Saying "interested with learning" is incorrect and does not convey the intended meaning.
For example, "She is interested with studying" sounds awkward and is not used in English.
Therefore, option B is incorrect.
Step 4: Analyze Option C - "In"
Option C suggests the preposition "in," making the sentence: "She is interested in learning foreign languages."
The collocation "interested in" is a standard and correct construction in English, especially when followed by a noun or gerund.
For example:
- "He is interested in history." (Followed by a noun.)
- "She is interested in traveling." (Followed by a gerund.)
In this case, "learning foreign languages" is a gerund phrase, and "interested in learning foreign languages" is grammatically correct and natural.
Option C seems to be the correct choice, but let’s check the final option to confirm.
Step 5: Analyze Option D - "At"
Option D suggests the preposition "at," making the sentence: "She is interested at learning foreign languages."
The preposition "at" typically indicates a specific point or location (e.g., "good at math," "look at the sky").
However, "interested at" is not a standard collocation in English.
Saying "interested at learning" is incorrect and sounds unnatural.
For example, "She is interested at studying" would not be used by native speakers.
Therefore, option D is incorrect.
Step 6: Confirm with Grammar Rules
The adjective "interested" is almost always followed by the preposition "in" when indicating the object of interest, especially with gerunds or nouns:
- "They are interested in art."
- "She is interested in learning new skills."
This rule applies consistently in English grammar, confirming that option C, "in," is the correct answer.
Step 7: Why the Other Options Are Incorrect - A Broader Perspective
- Option A ("On"): "On" is used with other adjectives like "keen on" (e.g., "keen on learning"), but not with "interested."
- Option B ("With"): "With" pairs with adjectives like "satisfied with" or "pleased with," but not "interested."
- Option D ("Att"): "At" pairs with adjectives like "good at" or "bad at," but not "interested."
Step 8: Key Concepts
- Adjective-Preposition Collocations: Certain adjectives require specific prepositions (e.g., "interested in," "good at," "afraid of").
- Gerunds: When a verb acts as a noun (e.g., "learning"), it can follow a preposition like "in" after "interested."
- Practice: Test collocations by creating sentences: "I’m interested in music," "She’s interested in cooking."