Confused about when to use 'famous for', 'popular with', or 'good at' in my writing
I'm working on some English essays and keep mixing up phrases like 'famous for', 'popular with', and 'good at'. For example, I wrote 'She is famous with her singing' and 'He is popular for sports', but I'm not sure if those are right.
Could someone explain the difference between these expressions and when each one should be used? I really want to make sure my sentences sound natural. Thanks!
Context:
ESL student writing informal essays, aiming for natural phrasing
What to Know
| What to Know | Why It Matters | Example | Quick Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Use 'popular with' to show which people like someone or something. | Correct: 'She is famous for her singing.'. | I used "'famous for'" because it matched the meaning in my sentence. | Does this wording match my intended meaning in this sentence? |
| Writers often treat 'famous for' and 'popular with' as interchangeable even when context and meaning differ. | This helps you choose wording by meaning instead of surface form. | I used "'popular with'" because the context required that meaning. | Did I choose this form for meaning, not because it looked familiar? |
3 Answers
Let's look at the patterns for each expression to help you remember:
1. 'famous for + [reason/achievement]'
- Use 'famous for' to say what someone is well-known because of.
- Correct: 'She is famous for her singing.'
- Incorrect: 'She is famous with her singing.'
2. 'popular with + [group of people]'
- Use 'popular with' to show which people like someone or something.
- Correct: 'He is popular with his classmates.'
- Incorrect: 'He is popular for sports.' (unless you mean he is liked because he is good at sports—then, 'popular for' can work, but it's less common)
3. 'good at + [skill/activity]'
- Use 'good at' to describe what someone does well.
- Correct: 'She is good at singing.'
Self-Check Practice:
- Try writing one original sentence using each pattern. Then, check: does 'for' explain what they are known for? Does 'with' describe the group that likes them? Does 'at' describe a skill?
If you mix them up, ask yourself: Am I talking about what someone is known for ('famous for'), who likes them ('popular with'), or what they do well ('good at')?
These three phrases have specific uses in English. Let's compare them side by side with examples:
- 'famous for': Use this for the specific reason someone or something is well-known.
- Example: Albert Einstein is famous for his theory of relativity.
- 'popular with': Use this to show a group that really likes someone or something.
- Example: This song is popular with teenagers.
- 'good at': Use this when describing a skill or ability.
- Example: He is good at mathematics.
Quick Exercise:
Fill in the blanks with 'famous for,' 'popular with,' or 'good at':
- Beyoncé is ___ her performances.
- Chess is ___ many students.
- She is ___ playing basketball.
Correction Tip: If you wrote 'famous with' or 'popular for,' switch them using these explanations, and your sentences will be more natural.
To choose between 'famous for,' 'popular with,' and 'good at,' focus on the meaning you want to communicate:
- 'Famous for [noun/gerund]': What is the person best known for?
- Correct: 'That city is famous for its beautiful parks.'
- 'Popular with [group/people]': Which group especially likes someone/something?
- Correct: 'The teacher is popular with her students.'
- 'Good at [activity/skill]': What can the person do well?
- Correct: 'He is good at drawing.'
Practice Suggestion:
Think of a celebrity. Write three sentences:
- Why are they famous? (Use 'famous for')
- Who likes them? (Use 'popular with')
- What are they skilled at? (Use 'good at')
Self-Check Reminder: Always ask: Am I describing what they are known for, who likes them, or what they can do well? Replace any incorrect prepositions to fix your sentences.
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