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Prepositions with nouns

Generation with for and of

Generation combines naturally with several prepositions, but for generation and of generation are usually incomplete without more context.

Quick answer

Should I use for generation or of generation?

Generation normally needs an article or modifier. Of generation appears in formal phrases such as methods of power generation. For generation is used when something is intended for a generation or for producing something.

methods of generation are being studied
technology for power generation
a challenge for the next generation

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
generation of + noun

Showing creation or production

Generation of is common when talking about producing energy, data, income, or ideas.

generation of electricity
generation of revenue increased
2
for + generation

Referring to a group by age

For is natural when generation means a group of people and usually includes a modifier.

opportunities for the younger generation
a message for future generations
3
power generation

Using generation as a compound noun

Generation often appears directly after another noun without a preposition.

power generation costs fell
data generation has accelerated

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
for generation
technology for power generation
correct when generation means producing something; usually followed by another noun
of generation
methods of generation
formal phrase referring to production or creation
generation of
generation of income
the most common productive pattern with generation
for the next generation
better schools for the next generation
refers to future people, not production

Common mistakes

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

Using bare for generation

Generation usually needs a modifier or another noun after it.

✕ tools for generation ✓ tools for data generation

Using of generation without context

Of generation is usually part of a larger technical phrase.

✓ methods of energy generation

Omitting an article before generation

Countable uses of generation often need a or the.

✕ generation will benefit ✓ the next generation will benefit

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The company invests in technology for power ___.
2. Researchers studied methods ___ generation.
3. The programme was designed for the next ___.

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Frequently asked questions

Is for generation correct English?

Yes, but usually in a larger phrase such as for power generation or for the next generation.

When do we use generation of?

Use it for production or creation, such as generation of electricity or generation of income.

Can generation be used without a preposition?

Yes. Compound nouns such as power generation are very common.

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 examination" or "of examination"? "for guidance" or "of guidance"?

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