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Prepositions after adjectives

Intrinsic to, in, about, as or within?

Intrinsic is normally followed by to. Other prepositions usually introduce separate meanings or are nonstandard after this adjective.

Quick answer

Which preposition follows intrinsic?

Use intrinsic to to describe an essential part or quality: trust is intrinsic to teamwork. Intrinsic in sometimes appears in formal writing, but intrinsic to is much more standard.

Honesty is intrinsic to good leadership.
Risk is intrinsic to investing.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
intrinsic to + system/process

Essential part of something

To introduces the thing that naturally contains the quality.

Creativity is intrinsic to the job.
2
intrinsic to + noun

Describing inherent qualities

Use this pattern for qualities that cannot be separated from something.

Variation is intrinsic to language.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
intrinsic to
Patience is intrinsic to teaching.
standard and idiomatic
intrinsic in
Risk is intrinsic in the process.
seen occasionally, but to is preferred
intrinsic about
There is something intrinsic about the design.
not a standard complement pattern
intrinsic as
It is intrinsic as a feature of the system.
nonstandard after intrinsic
intrinsic within
These values are intrinsic within the culture.
possible with within as a place idea, but intrinsic to is more natural

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using about after intrinsic

About does not normally follow intrinsic.

✕ Trust is intrinsic about teamwork. ✓ Trust is intrinsic to teamwork.

Using as as the main complement

Intrinsic is not normally followed by as.

✕ Discipline is intrinsic as the role. ✓ Discipline is intrinsic to the role.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Cooperation is intrinsic ___ successful projects.
2. Curiosity is intrinsic ___ scientific research.
3. Which phrase is most idiomatic?

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Frequently asked questions

Is intrinsic in incorrect?

It appears in some formal writing, but intrinsic to is much more standard.

What does intrinsic to mean?

It means essential or naturally belonging to something.

Can within follow intrinsic?

Within can introduce location or scope, but it is not the normal complement after intrinsic.

ideal-for-in-as-at, from "identical to" or "identical with"? identifiable by, as, with, in or to? "idle for" or "idle in"? ignorant of, about, to, in or on? "illegal in" or "illegal for"? illustrative of, in, rather or for? ill with, in, for, at or of? "immune to" or "immune from"? "impatient with" or "impatient for"? "imperative for" or "imperative to"? impervious to, from or in?

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