Sign In Get Started
Prepositions with nouns

For examination or of examination?

For examination is a common phrase meaning that something is being checked, tested, or inspected. Of examination is not usually used alone after examination, but it can appear inside longer noun phrases such as results of examination.

Quick answer

Which phrase is correct?

Use for examination when something is sent, presented, or prepared to be examined. The phrase of examination is uncommon as a standalone combination and usually belongs to a larger structure such as report of examination or date of examination.

The samples were sent for examination at the laboratory.
Please submit the documents for examination before Friday.
The report of examination was completed yesterday.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
for examination

Showing purpose or intended inspection

Use for examination when something is intended to be checked, tested, or inspected.

The patient was referred for examination by a specialist.
The device was removed for examination after the failure.
2
under examination

Describing an ongoing inspection

Use under examination when the inspection or review is currently happening.

The evidence is under examination by the committee.
3
examination of + noun

Naming what is examined

Use examination of to identify the object being studied or inspected.

The doctor performed an examination of the patient's knee.
4
report/results/date of examination

Using of examination inside a noun phrase

Of examination can follow another noun in formal phrases connected to examinations.

We received the final report of examination this morning.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
for examination
The package was opened for examination.
Used to show purpose or intended inspection.
of examination
The certificate of examination was issued today.
Usually part of a larger noun phrase, not a general standalone pattern.
examination of
The examination of the records took two days.
Names the thing being examined.

Common mistakes

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

Using of examination as a standalone purpose phrase

English normally uses for examination to express purpose.

✕ The samples were sent of examination. ✓ The samples were sent for examination.

Confusing examination of with for examination

Examination of names the object being examined, while for examination shows purpose.

✕ The examination for the engine lasted an hour. ✓ The examination of the engine lasted an hour.

Missing an article in formal noun phrases

Longer phrases with examination often need an article.

✕ Report of examination was attached. ✓ The report of examination was attached.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The documents were submitted ___ examination.
2. The ___ the machine revealed several faults.
3. The report ___ examination arrived today.

Check your sentence in context

Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

Free to try · No signup required

Frequently asked questions

Is for examination formal or informal?

It is neutral and common in medical, legal, academic, and technical contexts.

Can I say of examination by itself?

Usually no. It normally appears inside a larger noun phrase such as results of examination.

What is the difference between examination of and for examination?

Examination of identifies what is examined, while for examination explains the purpose.

for, admission, of, admission "for adoption", "of adoption" or "to adoption"? "for answer" or "of answer"? "for approval" or "of approval"? for, at, after, to or before lunch? "for breakfast" or "after breakfast"? "for collection" or "of collection"? "for dad" or "with dad"? for, during, in, of or with period? "for enforcement" or "of enforcement"? "for generation" or "of generation"? "for guidance" or "of guidance"?

Write with confidence in Linguix

Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.

Create a free account