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Prepositions with nouns

“In context” or “of context”?

In context is the standard phrase for considering something within its situation or background. Of context is not normally used alone, but appears in expressions such as out of context or context of.

Quick answer

Which phrase is standard?

Use in context to mean within the full situation or surrounding information. Of context is not usually correct by itself. However, out of context and the context of are standard expressions.

The quote makes sense only in context.
The sentence was taken out of context.
We discussed the context of the negotiations.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
in context

Considering the full situation

Use in context when interpreting words, events, or actions within surrounding information.

Read the passage in context before answering.
Her comments sounded reasonable in context.
2
out of context

Describing missing background

Use out of context when information is separated from its original situation.

The headline was quoted out of context.
A single sentence out of context can be misleading.
3
context of + noun

Naming a specific situation

Use context of to identify the setting or circumstances.

The issue was studied in the context of international law.
We examined the decision in the context of recent events.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
in context
The joke is clearer in context.
within the surrounding situation
of context
This phrase is not standard by itself.
generally avoided alone
out of context
The remark was taken out of context.
removed from the original situation
context of
They analysed the context of the speech.
the surrounding circumstances of something

Common mistakes

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

Using of context alone

English normally uses in context or context of instead.

✕ The quote is of context. ✓ The quote is in context.

Confusing in context with context of

In context is an adverbial phrase, while context of introduces a noun.

✕ We studied in context the war. ✓ We studied the context of the war.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. You should read the paragraph ___ context.
2. The video clip was taken ___ of context.
3. They discussed the context ___ the decision.

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Frequently asked questions

Is of context ever correct?

Not usually by itself. It mainly appears in expressions like out of context or context of.

What does in context mean?

It means considering something together with its surrounding information or situation.

Can I say within context?

Yes, but in context is more common in everyday English.

"in act" or "of act"? "in agreement" or "of agreement"? "in appearance" or "of appearance"? "in area" or "of area"? in, at, on, of or to hand? "in attempt" or "of attempt"? "in battle" or "of battle"? "in celebration", "of celebration" or "for celebration"? "in chain" or "of chain"? "in chapter" or "of chapter"? "in charge" or "of charge"? "in check" or "of check"?

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