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Preposition after adjective

Representative of, for, in or to?

Representative is most commonly followed by of to show that someone or something stands for a group, type, or category.

Quick answer

Which preposition follows representative?

The standard adjective pattern is representative of + group or type. Other prepositions such as for, in, and to usually belong to different sentence structures or meanings.

This sample is representative of the wider population.
She is representative of the student committee.
His views are not representative of the whole team.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
representative of + group

Showing typical character or membership

Use representative of when something reflects a larger group or category.

The data is representative of current trends.
The delegate is representative of local businesses.
2
representative for + organisation

Using representative as a noun role

For often appears when representative is functioning as a noun meaning agent or delegate.

She works as a representative for an insurance company.
3
representative in + place

Showing location or area

In usually introduces the place where someone acts as a representative.

He is our representative in Singapore.
4
representative to + audience

Showing relation toward a group

To can describe how something relates to or is presented to people.

The policy is not fully representative to younger voters.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
representative of
The survey is representative of the population.
Standard adjective pattern meaning typical of or speaking for.
representative for
She is a representative for a travel company.
Usually a noun pattern referring to a job or role.
representative in
They appointed a representative in Brazil.
In introduces the place of activity.
representative to
The committee is not fully representative to rural communities.
Less common pattern about relation toward a group.

Common mistakes

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

Using for instead of of in the adjective pattern

Use representative of when meaning typical of a group.

✕ The sample is representative for the population. ✓ The sample is representative of the population.

Confusing adjective and noun uses

Representative for is usually linked to a job title or role.

✕ Her opinions are representative for the department. ✓ Her opinions are representative of the department.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The results are representative ___ national trends.
2. She is a sales representative ___ the company.
3. They hired a representative ___ Tokyo.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the standard adjective pattern with representative?

Representative of is the usual pattern when something reflects or stands for a larger group.

Why do I sometimes see representative for?

For is common when representative is used as a noun for a job or role.

Can representative be followed by in?

Yes. In usually introduces the location where a representative operates.

racist-in-against-for-to, towards "radical in" or "radical for"? rampant in, among, with, on or throughout? "rare in" or "rare for"? "rational for" or "rational in"? "raw in", "raw for" or "raw with"? reachable by, from, on, in or through? "reactive to", "reactive rather" or "reactive in"? ready for, to, in, at or by? "realistic about" or "realistic in"? "real to", "real for" or "real in"? rearing of, as or on?

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