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Prepositions with nouns

“In office” or “of office”?

In office is a common expression about holding a political or official position. Of office usually appears as of the office in phrases showing connection.

Quick answer

Which phrase should you use?

Use in office to mean serving in an official position: She remained in office for five years. Use of the office to show relationship or possession: the duties of the office. The phrase of office without an article is uncommon.

The president remained in office after the election.
They discussed the responsibilities of the office.
Several reforms were introduced while he was in office.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
in office

Holding an official position

Use in office for politicians and officials serving in their role.

She stayed in office for two terms.
The mayor resigned while still in office.
2
of the office

Connection with an office or position

Use of the office to describe duties, powers, or features of a position.

The powers of the office are defined by law.
He accepted the responsibilities of the office.
3
at the office

Location at a workplace

Use at the office when talking about physical location.

I will be at the office until six.
She left her bag at the office.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
in office
The minister has been in office since May.
Serving in an official role.
of the office
The traditions of the office are respected.
Connected with the institution or position.
of office
Of office is uncommon without an article.
Standard English usually uses of the office.
at the office
He is at the office today.
Physical location at work.

Common mistakes

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

Using in office for location

In office usually means holding a position, not being inside a room.

✕ She is in office this afternoon. ✓ She is at the office this afternoon.

Omitting the article after of

Office usually needs the before this structure.

✕ the duties of office ✓ the duties of the office

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The senator remained ___ office for eight years.
2. They reviewed the powers ___ the office.
3. I left my laptop ___ the office.

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Frequently asked questions

Does in office always refer to politics?

It is most common with political or official positions, but it can also describe other formal roles.

Can I say of office without the?

Usually no in modern everyday English. Of the office is the standard form.

What is the difference between in the office and in office?

In the office refers to location inside a room or workplace. In office means holding a position.

"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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