Jealous Of: Standard Pattern
Jealous Of: Standard Pattern records a directly documented English construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced pattern rather than turning one attested complement into a universal prohibition.
Use “jealous of” before the person or thing connected with envy or jealousy.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| person or thing connected with jealousy/envy | jealous of + noun/pronoun | Use “jealous of.” |
| different relationship such as protective concern | different wording | Do not force “jealous of” when jealousy is not the intended meaning. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Are you naming the person, possession, advantage, or situation that is the focus of jealousy?
If yes: Use “jealous of” before that complement.
If no: Choose wording that states the actual relationship if jealousy is not intended.
Caveat: This page covers the standard prepositional pattern; context still determines whether “jealous” is the right adjective.
Examples
She was jealous of her colleague’s promotion.
“Of” introduces the focus of jealousy.
He felt jealous of the attention the new project received.
The complement follows “of.”
They were jealous of each other’s free time.
The preposition remains “of” before the comparison target.
Further guidance
Construction
Use “jealous of” before the person or thing connected with envy or jealousy.
Style Boundary
Cambridge directly documents “jealous of”; the exact sense can involve envy or relationship jealousy, so the page keeps those meanings distinct from a blanket synonym claim.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- JEALOUS OF | English meaning — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Direct Cambridge dictionary evidence for the Jealous Of construction and its envy/relationship senses.