Sign In Get Started
Prepositions with nouns

Apartment: “of apartment” or “in apartment”

In an apartment is the normal way to describe location. Of apartment is uncommon unless apartment follows another noun phrase.

Quick answer

Which phrase is standard?

Use in an apartment to describe where someone lives or where something happens. Of apartment is not a usual fixed pattern, but it can appear in larger phrases such as the owner of the apartment.

They live in an apartment downtown.
We stayed in a small apartment near the station.
She is the owner of the apartment upstairs.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
in an apartment

Talking about location

Use in to show that someone or something is inside an apartment.

He works in an apartment converted into an office.
2
apartment in + building/place

Giving the apartment's location

Use in after apartment to identify the building or area.

They rented an apartment in Berlin.
3
owner of the apartment

Showing possession

Of belongs to another noun such as owner, manager, or size.

We contacted the manager of the apartment complex.
4
apartment for + purpose/person

Describing intended use

For can show who the apartment is suitable for.

They need an apartment for students.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
in apartment
She lives in an apartment near the river.
Standard location phrase; article usually needed.
of apartment
The layout of the apartment is modern.
Of normally links apartment to another noun.
apartment in
We found an apartment in Madrid.
Shows where the apartment is located.
apartment for
This apartment is for families.
Shows purpose or intended users.

Common mistakes

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

Leaving out the article

Singular apartment usually needs a or the.

✕ He lives in apartment ✓ He lives in an apartment

Using of directly after apartment

Apartment is not normally followed by of.

✕ apartment of city center ✓ apartment in the city center

Confusing location and possession

Use in for place and of with another noun.

✕ the apartment in John ✓ John's apartment

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. They live ___ an apartment near campus.
2. The owner ___ the apartment raised the rent.
3. We rented an apartment ___ tourists.

Check your sentence in context

Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

Free to try · No signup required

Frequently asked questions

Is in apartment correct without an article?

Usually no. Say in an apartment or in the apartment.

Can apartment be followed by of?

Not usually as a direct pattern. Of more often belongs to another noun, such as owner of the apartment.

What preposition is common with apartment?

In is the most common for location.

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"?

Write with confidence in Linguix

Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.

Create a free account