nouns with prepositions

Nouns with Prepositions


You can give information about a noun by adding a prepositional phrase after it.

Four men on holiday were in the car.A sound behind him made him turn.


You often use the preposition ‘of’ after a noun to add various kinds of information. For example you can use ‘of’ to indicate:

• what something is made of or consists of

… a wall of stone.A feeling of panic was rising in him.


• what the subject matter of speech, writing or a picture is

She gave a brief account of her interview.There was a picture of them both in the newspaper.


• what a person or thing belongs to or is connected with

She was the daughter of the village priest.The boys sat on the floor of the living room.


• what qualities a person or thing has

She was a woman of energy and ambition.They faced problems of great complexity.


After nouns referring to actions, you use ‘of’ to indicate the subject or object of the action.

… arrival of the police.… the destruction of their city.


After nouns referring to people who perform an action, you use ‘of’ to say what the action involves or is aimed at.

… supporters of the hunger strike.… a student of English.


Note: You often use two nouns, rather than a noun and a prepositional phrase. For example, you say ‘bank robbers’, not ‘robbers of the bank’.


After nouns referring to measurement, you use ‘of’ to give the exact figure.

… an average annual temperature of 20 degrees.… a speed of 25 kilometers an hour.


You can use ‘of’ after a noun to give someone’s age.

Jonathan was a child of seven when it happened.


You use ‘with’ after a noun to say that a person or thing has a particular quality, feature, or possession.

… a girl with red hair. … the man with the gun.


Note: You use ‘in’ after a noun to say what someone is wearing.

… a grey-haired man in a raincoat.… the man in dark glasses.


Some nouns are usually followed by a particular preposition. Here are some examples of:

• nouns followd by ‘to’alternative attitude invitationrelevance answer devotionreaction resistance approachintroduction reference return


This was my first real introduction to Africa.


• nouns followed by ‘for’

admiration need responsibilitytaste desire reasonsearch thirst dislikerespect substitute

Their need for money is growing fast.


• nouns followed by ‘on’

agreement attack comment effect tax

She had a dreadful effect on me.


• nouns followed by ‘with’ or ‘between’

connection contactrelationshiplink

His illness had some connection with his diet.


• nouns followed by ‘in’

decrease difficulty fallincrease rise

They demanded a large increase in wages.

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nouns with prepositions

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