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Prepositions before nouns

By storm or of storm?

English uses by storm in the idiom take by storm. Of storm is not a standard fixed expression.

Quick answer

Correct expression

Use take by storm to mean becoming very successful or popular very quickly. Of storm is not a standard combination, though storm of plus another noun is possible in different structures.

The song took the internet by storm.
The team took the league by storm.
We watched a storm of protest grow online.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
take + place/object + by storm

Describing sudden success or impact

This idiom means to impress or dominate quickly.

The new app took the market by storm.
2
storm of + noun

Describing a large amount of something

Storm of can describe intense reactions or events.

The decision caused a storm of criticism.
3
in a storm

Talking about weather conditions

Use in a storm for actions happening during severe weather.

The boat was damaged in a storm.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
by storm
The film took audiences by storm.
Part of the idiom take by storm.
of storm
Not standard as a fixed phrase.
Use storm of plus another noun instead.
storm of
A storm of applause followed the speech.
A large, intense amount of something.
in a storm
Several trees fell in a storm.
During severe weather.

Common mistakes

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

Using by storm without the idiom

By storm usually appears after take.

✕ The company arrived by storm. ✓ The company took the industry by storm.

Using of storm as a fixed phrase

English normally uses storm of plus another noun.

✕ of storm reaction ✓ storm of reaction

Forgetting the object in take by storm

The idiom usually includes the place or group affected.

✕ The singer took by storm. ✓ The singer took Europe by storm.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The game ___ the world by storm.
2. The announcement caused a storm ___ criticism.
3. Several flights were delayed ___ a storm.

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Frequently asked questions

What does take by storm mean?

It means to become suddenly popular or successful.

Is of storm correct?

Not as a fixed phrase. Use storm of plus another noun.

Can by storm refer to weather?

Usually no. In modern English it is mainly part of the idiom take by storm.

"behind bar" or "of bar"? "beyond description" or "of description"? 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?

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