in a + manner
Describing behaviour or style
Use in a manner with an adjective to describe how someone acts.
He answered in a professional manner.
In manner or of manner?
In manner is uncommon without an article, while of manner usually appears inside larger phrases. English more often uses in a manner or manner of.
Quick answer
Natural combinations
Use in a manner to describe how something is done. Use of manner inside larger noun phrases such as questions of manner. The common fixed pattern is manner of plus noun or verb.
She spoke in a calm manner.
It was a different manner of communication.
It was a different manner of communication.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
manner of + noun
Type or style
Use manner of to classify something.
They adopted a new manner of presentation.
questions of manner
Formal descriptive phrase
Of manner appears in formal noun phrases.
The debate focused on questions of manner rather than policy.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
in manner
The phrase in manner alone is uncommon in modern English.
usually needs an article or adjective
of manner
Issues of manner were discussed separately.
formal descriptive phrase
manner of
That kind of manner of speech sounds old-fashioned.
type or style
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Omitting the article after in
Use in a manner or in an appropriate manner.
✕ She behaved in manner that upset everyone. ✓ She behaved in a manner that upset everyone.Using of manner as a general replacement
Of manner is limited to formal noun phrases.
✕ He spoke of manner politely. ✓ He spoke in a polite manner.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. She responded ___ a respectful manner.
2. They discussed questions ___ manner.
3. It was a strange manner ___ greeting people.
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Frequently asked questions
Is in manner correct without an article?
Usually no. Standard English prefers in a manner or in some manner.
What does manner of mean?
It means a type, style, or way of doing something.
Is of manner common in conversation?
No. It sounds formal and appears mostly in written English.
Related preposition guides
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