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Prepositions with nouns

“Of advertising” or “in advertising”?

“In advertising” is common for work, activity, or context. “Of advertising” usually appears after another noun, such as “the history of advertising.”

Quick answer

Use “in advertising” for field or activity

“In advertising” is the normal choice when talking about jobs, techniques, or experience in the advertising industry. “Of advertising” is mainly used after another noun to describe a subject or topic.

She works in advertising.
Humour is often effective in advertising.
He is studying the history of advertising.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
in advertising

Working or operating in the field

Use “in advertising” for careers, activities, or methods connected with the advertising industry.

She has worked in advertising for ten years.
Visual storytelling matters in advertising.
2
history of advertising

Subject or topic

Use “of advertising” after another noun when describing a field of study or discussion.

The course covers the history of advertising.
3
advertising for + product

Promoting a specific thing

Use “advertising for” when naming what is being promoted.

The company increased advertising for its new app.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
in advertising
She built a career in advertising.
within the advertising field or industry
of advertising
The phrase is usually part of a larger noun phrase such as “the ethics of advertising.”
describing the subject of study or discussion
advertising for
They created advertising for the new campaign.
promotion of a product or service
advertise in + publication/platform
The company advertises in local newspapers.
placing advertisements somewhere

Common mistakes

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

Using “of advertising” after a verb

This combination usually needs a preceding noun.

✕ She works of advertising. ✓ She works in advertising.

Confusing industry with subject

Use “in advertising” for jobs and experience.

✕ He has years of experience of advertising. ✓ He has years of experience in advertising.

Using the wrong preposition with “advertise”

Use “advertise in” for media platforms.

✕ They advertise on advertising magazines. ✓ They advertise in advertising magazines.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She started her career ___ advertising after university.
2. The lecture explored the ethics ___ advertising.
3. The agency created advertising ___ luxury brands.

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Frequently asked questions

Is “in advertising” the normal expression?

Yes. It is the standard way to refer to work or activity in the advertising field.

When can I use “of advertising”?

Usually after another noun, such as “history,” “ethics,” or “impact.”

Can “advertising” be both a noun and an adjective?

Yes. It can refer to the industry or describe related things, such as “advertising campaign.”

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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