friendship with + person
Relationship with someone
Use "with" for a friendship involving a person or group.
She values her friendship with her colleague.
Which prepositions are used with "friendship"?
Different prepositions with "friendship" express topic, relationship, support, or involvement.
Quick answer
Common prepositions with "friendship"
Use "friendship with" for the relationship between people, "friendship between" for two sides or groups, and "about friendship" for topics. "On friendship" is common for talks, essays, or books. "Friendship of" is limited and formal, while "friendship for" is uncommon in modern English.
Her friendship with Julia lasted decades.
The documentary is about friendship and loyalty.
He gave a lecture on friendship in ancient philosophy.
The documentary is about friendship and loyalty.
He gave a lecture on friendship in ancient philosophy.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
friendship between + people
Mutual relationships
Use "between" when two or more sides are equally involved.
The treaty strengthened friendship between the countries.
about friendship
Topic or subject
Use "about" when discussing friendship as a theme.
The novel is about friendship during difficult times.
on friendship
Lectures, essays, and formal discussion
Use "on" for speeches, articles, lessons, or formal works.
She wrote an essay on friendship and trust.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
friendship of
They admired the friendship of the two writers.
Formal or literary; identifies whose friendship is being discussed.
about friendship
The film is about friendship and loss.
Shows the topic or theme.
friendship for
They formed a friendship for mutual support.
Possible for purpose, but not a common fixed pattern.
in friendship
They worked together in friendship and respect.
Describes manner or spirit, not a direct noun-preposition combination.
on friendship
He delivered a talk on friendship.
Used for formal discussion or academic topics.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using "friendship for someone" to mean relationship
Use "friendship with" for relationships between people.
✕ her friendship for Anna ✓ her friendship with AnnaUsing "on friendship" for personal relationships
"On friendship" usually refers to talks, essays, or discussions.
✕ my friendship on David ✓ my friendship with DavidConfusing topic and relationship meanings
"About friendship" refers to a subject, not a personal bond.
✕ their about friendship ✓ their friendshipOverusing "friendship of"
This form sounds formal or literary in many contexts.
✕ I enjoy the friendship of Tom. ✓ I enjoy my friendship with Tom.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. She gave a presentation ___ friendship in literature.
2. His friendship ___ Mark began at university.
3. The movie is ___ friendship and loyalty.
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Frequently asked questions
Is "friendship with" the most common pattern?
Yes. It is the standard way to describe a relationship between people.
When do we use "on friendship"?
Use it for lectures, essays, books, or discussions whose topic is friendship.
Can "in friendship" be correct?
Yes, but it usually describes manner or attitude, as in "They worked together in friendship."
Related preposition guides
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