address to + audience/person
Who receives the speech or remarks
Use “to” to show the target audience of an address.
The president delivered an address to the nation.
Should you use “of address” or “to address”?
With the noun “address,” English commonly uses “to” when showing the person receiving a speech, letter, or remarks. “Of address” is generally not a standard combination.
Quick answer
“Address to” is the standard construction
Use “address to” for speeches, letters, comments, or formal remarks directed at someone. “Of address” is usually nonstandard unless “of” belongs to a different structure, such as “form of address.”
Her address to the audience lasted ten minutes.
The letter of complaint was an address to the manager.
“Doctor” is a formal form of address.
The letter of complaint was an address to the manager.
“Doctor” is a formal form of address.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
address on + topic
What the speech discusses
Use “on” to introduce the subject of a formal address.
She gave an address on climate policy.
form of address
Titles and ways of speaking to someone
This fixed expression uses “of” naturally.
“Professor” is a common form of address at universities.
address from + speaker
Who delivers the speech
Use “from” to identify the source or speaker.
We listened to an address from the chairperson.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
address to
His address to shareholders was well received.
Standard phrase for remarks directed at someone.
of address
the form of address used in court
Possible only in special fixed phrases such as “form of address,” not as a general replacement for “address to.”
address on
She delivered an address on public health.
Introduces the topic of the speech.
address from
An address from the mayor opened the event.
Identifies the speaker or source.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using “of address” for a speech recipient
English uses “address to” when someone speaks or writes to another person or group.
✕ an address of the committee ✓ an address to the committeeConfusing “address to” and “address on”
“To” marks the audience; “on” marks the topic.
✕ an address to climate change ✓ an address on climate changeOverusing “of” with “address”
“Of” is natural only in specific expressions such as “form of address.”
✕ an address of the guests ✓ an address to the guestsQuick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The ambassador gave an ___ the delegates.
2. She delivered an ___ economic reform.
3. “Sir” is a polite ___ in formal letters.
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Frequently asked questions
Is “of address” correct English?
Usually no. The standard phrase is “address to” unless “of” appears in a fixed expression like “form of address.”
What is the difference between “address to” and “address on”?
“Address to” identifies the audience, while “address on” introduces the topic.
Can “address” be a verb with “to”?
Yes. For example: “She addressed the comments to the director.”
Related preposition guides
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