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Preposition after adjective

true + preposition

True combines with several prepositions, but true to is the most common and important pattern.

Quick answer

Which prepositions are used with true?

Use true to for loyalty, accuracy, or faithfulness to something. True of means valid for a person or thing. True for can refer to conditions or periods. In and with usually belong to wider sentence structures.

She remained true to her principles.
That is true of many small businesses.
The statement may be true for some users.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
true to + person/idea/style

Showing loyalty or accuracy

Use true to for faithfulness to values, original form, character, or style.

He stayed true to his beliefs.
The film is true to the novel.
2
true of + person/thing

Showing that a statement applies

Use true of when a statement correctly describes someone or something.

The same is true of rural schools.
That may be true of younger workers.
3
true for + case/period

Showing validity in a specific case

Use true for when something applies under certain conditions or for a group.

This is especially true for remote teams.
The rule remains true for adults.
4
true in + context

Locating truth within a situation

In introduces the context where something is true.

The pattern is true in many countries.
5
true with + object

Referring to accuracy involving something

With is uncommon directly after true but may appear in certain expressions.

The colours remain true with repeated printing.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
true to
She was always true to her word.
standard for loyalty, accuracy, or faithfulness
true of
That is true of most beginners.
shows that a statement applies
true for
The advice is true for many situations.
shows validity in a particular case
true in
The same pattern is true in Europe.
in introduces location or context
true with
The image stays true with proper calibration.
possible in technical contexts but less common

Common mistakes

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

Confusing true to and true of

True to expresses loyalty or faithfulness, while true of means applicable.

✕ She is true of her values. ✓ She is true to her values.

Using true for people in loyalty meaning

Use true to for loyalty toward people or principles.

✕ He stayed true for his friends. ✓ He stayed true to his friends.

Overusing true with

With is uncommon directly after true in general English.

✕ The story is true with the original version. ✓ The story is true to the original version.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She remained true ___ her ideals.
2. The same is true ___ many startups.
3. This advice is true ___ remote workers.

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Frequently asked questions

What does true to mean?

It usually means loyal, faithful, or accurate in relation to something.

When do we use true of?

Use true of when a statement correctly applies to a person, group, or thing.

Is true with common English?

It is relatively uncommon directly after true and appears mostly in technical or specialised contexts.

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