avail oneself of + opportunity/service
Using or taking advantage of something
This is the standard modern pattern with avail as a verb.
Travelers may avail themselves of airport shuttles.
How to use avail correctly
Avail is most common in the reflexive pattern avail oneself of. Other prepositions after avail are uncommon or belong to different structures.
Quick answer
Which preposition follows avail?
The standard expression is avail oneself of something, meaning use or take advantage of something. Avail to appears in passive expressions such as be available to. By, on, and against are not standard complements after avail.
Students can avail themselves of free tutoring.
You should avail yourself of this opportunity.
The service is available to all members.
You should avail yourself of this opportunity.
The service is available to all members.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
avail yourself of + resource
Addressing one person directly
Use the reflexive pronoun that matches the subject.
Please avail yourself of the guest lounge.
be available to + person/group
Related adjective pattern
Available is an adjective and uses to, not of.
The discount is available to students.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
avail of
Guests may avail themselves of the spa facilities.
Standard reflexive pattern meaning use or benefit from.
avail to
The scholarship is available to international students.
To is natural with the adjective available, not usually with the verb avail.
avail by
They improved efficiency by using automation.
By is not a standard complement after avail.
avail on
The tickets are available on request.
On belongs to another phrase, not directly to avail.
avail against
Insurance protects against loss.
Against is not used as a complement after avail.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Omitting the reflexive pronoun
Avail normally needs a reflexive object in this meaning.
✕ You should avail of the offer. ✓ You should avail yourself of the offer.Using to after avail
To belongs with available, not usually with the verb avail.
✕ She availed herself to the service. ✓ She availed herself of the service.Using by after avail
By does not normally follow avail as a complement.
✕ We availed by the program. ✓ We availed ourselves of the program.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. Employees may avail themselves ___ free training.
2. The service is available ___ all residents.
3. Please avail yourself ___ the support hotline.
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Frequently asked questions
Is avail of correct?
Yes, in the pattern avail oneself of something.
Can I say avail to?
Usually no with the verb avail. Use available to with the adjective available.
Why does avail need a reflexive pronoun?
In modern English, the verb is normally used reflexively when it means use or take advantage of something.
Related preposition guides
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