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Preposition before noun

Beyond description or of description?

Beyond description is a fixed expression meaning impossible to describe fully. Of description is not a normal alternative by itself.

Quick answer

Which expression is correct?

Use beyond description to say something cannot be described adequately. Of description is not normally used as a complete expression, though description of something is very common.

The view was beyond description.
Her excitement was beyond description.
The report included a detailed description of the accident.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
beyond description

Saying something is impossible to describe fully

This fixed phrase expresses intensity or emotional impact.

The beauty of the mountains was beyond description.
His relief was beyond description after the rescue.
2
description of + noun

Naming what is being described

Description commonly takes of before the subject.

We read a description of the city in the guidebook.
Her novel gives a vivid description of the landscape.
3
under description of

Using a formal legal expression

This formal phrase means classified or identified as something.

The goods were sold under the description of handmade furniture.
The item appeared under the description of office supplies.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
beyond description
The damage was beyond description.
A fixed expression meaning impossible to describe adequately.
of description
The phrase of description alone sounds incomplete.
Not a standard standalone expression.
description of
She gave a description of the suspect.
Standard pattern naming what is described.
under description of
The product was listed under description of medical equipment.
Formal classification phrase.

Common mistakes

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

Using of description as a complete phrase

English does not normally use of description by itself.

✕ The scene was of description. ✓ The scene was beyond description.

Forgetting of after description

Description usually needs of before the thing described.

✕ He gave a description the building. ✓ He gave a description of the building.

Using beyond description for ordinary detail

Beyond description is strong and expressive.

✕ The chair was beyond description. ✓ The chair was difficult to describe.

Confusing description with descriptive

Description is a noun; descriptive is an adjective.

✕ a description passage ✓ a descriptive passage

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The beauty of the island was ___ description.
2. She wrote a detailed description ___ the ceremony.
3. The phrase "of description" is usually ___.

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Frequently asked questions

What does beyond description mean?

It means something is so extreme or impressive that words cannot describe it fully.

Is of description correct?

Not as a standalone phrase. English usually uses description of something.

Can beyond description be used positively and negatively?

Yes. It can describe beauty, joy, damage, fear, and other strong experiences.

"behind bar" or "of bar"? by, accident, of, accident "by boat" or "of boat"? "by chance" or "of chance"? "by default", "in default" or "of default"? "by extension", "of extension" or "for extension"? "by lot" or "with lot"? by, of, for, in or agreed-upon definition? by, of, in, into or to category? by, of, in, via or on telephone? by, of, on, for or in bus? by, of, to, with or from professor?

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