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Prepositions with nouns

For promotion or of promotion?

Use for promotion when talking about eligibility, purpose, or support. Of promotion usually appears only inside longer noun phrases such as chances of promotion.

Quick answer

Which expression should you use?

For promotion is common when discussing candidates, preparation, or purpose. Of promotion is not normally used alone but can appear in phrases like possibility of promotion or process of promotion.

She is being considered for promotion.
Employees studied the criteria for promotion.
They discussed the chances of promotion.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
eligible for + promotion

Talking about qualification for a higher position

Use for promotion after adjectives or nouns about suitability.

He is eligible for promotion this year.
Several staff members applied for promotion.
2
criteria for + promotion

Talking about rules or requirements

Use for promotion when something relates to advancement.

The company updated its criteria for promotion.
Training is required for promotion to manager.
3
chance of + promotion

Talking about likelihood or process

Of promotion is natural after nouns such as chance, possibility, or process.

She has a good chance of promotion.
The policy explains the process of promotion within the company.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
for promotion
He was recommended for promotion.
Connected with advancement to a higher position.
of promotion
They discussed the possibility of promotion.
Used after another noun in a larger phrase.
promotion to
She received a promotion to senior manager.
Shows the new position after advancement.

Common mistakes

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

Using of promotion as a standalone phrase

Of promotion usually needs another noun before it.

✕ She is of promotion. ✓ She is up for promotion.

Confusing promotion for and promotion to

For refers to consideration or purpose, while to names the new role.

✕ He got a promotion for director. ✓ He got a promotion to director.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She is being considered ___ promotion.
2. They discussed the possibility ___ promotion.
3. He received a promotion ___ team leader.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I say up for promotion?

Yes. It means being considered for advancement.

Is of promotion wrong?

Not always. It is correct in larger phrases such as chance of promotion.

What preposition follows promotion when naming a new role?

Use to, as in promotion to manager.

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 generation" or "of generation"?

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