summary of + topic
Showing what is summarized
Use of before the content or subject.
The article gives a summary of the meeting.
Prepositions used with summary
Summary commonly appears with of and in. Other prepositions depend on sentence meaning rather than fixed combinations.
Quick answer
Which prepositions are common with summary?
Use summary of for the content being summarized and in summary to introduce a conclusion. Summary for and summary on are also possible in specific contexts. To summary is incorrect because summary is a noun.
Here is a summary of the report.
In summary, sales increased.
We prepared a summary for new employees.
In summary, sales increased.
We prepared a summary for new employees.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
in summary
Introducing a conclusion
In summary means briefly or overall.
In summary, the experiment was successful.
summary for + audience
Indicating intended readers
Use for to show who the summary is meant for.
She wrote a summary for managers.
summary on + topic
Naming a subject area
On can introduce the subject of a document or talk.
He shared a summary on climate policy.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
summary of
Please send a summary of the discussion.
The content being summarized.
in summary
In summary, the results were positive.
A concluding transition phrase.
summary on
They published a summary on tourism trends.
A document or statement about a topic.
summary for
This is a summary for clients.
Shows the intended audience.
to summary
We need to summarize the report.
To summary is incorrect; use the verb summarize.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using summary as a verb
Summary is a noun. The verb is summarize.
✕ I will summary the article. ✓ I will summarize the article.Confusing in summary and summary of
They serve different grammar functions.
✕ In summary the report, costs fell. ✓ In summary, costs fell.Using to summary
After to, use the verb form.
✕ She tried to summary the chapter. ✓ She tried to summarize the chapter.Leaving out of
Summary usually takes of before the content.
✕ a summary the book ✓ a summary of the bookQuick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. Please write a summary ___ the article.
2. ___, the plan should reduce costs.
3. We created a summary ___ interns.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I say summary on a topic?
Yes. Summary on is possible when referring to a document or presentation about a subject.
Is in summary formal?
Yes. It is common in reports, essays, and presentations.
What is the verb form of summary?
The verb is summarize.
Related preposition guides
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