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Preposition after adjective

preparatory + preposition

Preparatory is most commonly followed by to when referring to preparation before another action or event.

Quick answer

Which preposition follows preparatory?

Use preparatory to for actions or stages that happen before something else. Preparatory for also appears in some contexts, especially education, but preparatory to is more standard after the adjective itself.

The meeting was preparatory to the merger.
They completed training preparatory to deployment.
She attended a course preparatory for medical school.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
preparatory to + event/action

Done before another step

Use preparatory to for actions that prepare for a later event or process.

Discussions were preparatory to the launch.
The inspection was preparatory to construction work.
2
preparatory for + purpose

Educational or practical preparation

For sometimes appears when describing preparation aimed at a goal or examination.

The programme is preparatory for university study.
She took classes preparatory for the entrance exam.
3
preparatory in + field

Limited contextual use

In usually introduces a field or area, not the main complement after preparatory.

He worked in a role preparatory in nature.
The course offers skills in academic writing.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
preparatory to
The briefing was preparatory to the negotiations.
Standard formal pattern meaning before or in preparation for.
preparatory for
The course is preparatory for professional exams.
Used especially for education or training goals.
preparatory in
The work was preparatory in character.
In does not usually follow preparatory directly as its complement.
preparatory at
They met at a preparatory session.
At normally introduces place or event, not a complement after preparatory.
preparatory of
The document was preparatory of later reforms.
This pattern is not standard in current English.

Common mistakes

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

Using of after preparatory

Preparatory of is not idiomatic in modern English.

✕ The work was preparatory of the conference. ✓ The work was preparatory to the conference.

Confusing to and for

To is more formal and standard after preparatory.

✕ The talks were preparatory for the agreement. ✓ The talks were preparatory to the agreement.

Using at as a complement

At usually indicates location or participation, not the adjective pattern.

✕ The session was preparatory at the trial. ✓ The session was preparatory to the trial.

Overusing in

In usually belongs to another part of the sentence.

✕ The meeting was preparatory in the launch. ✓ The meeting was preparatory to the launch.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The inspection was preparatory ___ the reopening.
2. She enrolled in a course preparatory ___ law school.
3. Which sentence is most natural?

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Frequently asked questions

Is preparatory to formal?

Yes. It is especially common in official, academic, and legal writing.

Can I use preparatory for?

Yes, particularly with courses, exams, and training programmes.

Is preparatory of correct?

No. It is not standard in current English.

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