in love with + person
Describing romantic feeling
This is the standard expression for romantic attachment.
She is in love with her colleague.
Using “love” with prepositions
“In love” is a very common expression about romantic feeling. “Of love” appears in literary or descriptive phrases.
Quick answer
Main difference
Use “in love” to describe being romantically attached to someone. Use “of love” in phrases such as “a story of love” or “out of love.”
They are in love.
It is a story of love and loss.
It is a story of love and loss.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
love of + activity/person
Showing affection or enthusiasm
Use “love of” to name the object of affection.
his love of music
story of love
Describing a theme
“Of love” can describe the subject of a story, poem, or discussion.
a tale of love and adventure
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
in love
They fell in love quickly.
romantically attached
of love
a poem of love and grief
describing the theme or subject
love of
her love of travel
affection for something
out of love
They drifted out of love.
no longer romantically attached
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using “of love” for romantic status
English uses “in love” for romantic attachment.
✕ They are of love ✓ They are in loveForgetting “with” after “in love”
Use “with” before the person.
✕ He is in love her ✓ He is in love with herConfusing “love of” and “in love with”
One describes enthusiasm; the other describes romance.
✕ her in love with music ✓ her love of musicQuick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. She is ___ her neighbour.
2. It was a story ___ and sacrifice.
3. His ___ reading started early.
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Frequently asked questions
Is “in love” the usual romantic expression?
Yes. It describes romantic attachment.
Can “of love” be correct?
Yes, especially in literary or descriptive phrases such as “a song of love.”
What is the difference between “love of” and “in love with”?
“Love of” means enthusiasm or affection, while “in love with” usually means romantic feeling.
Related preposition guides
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