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Prepositions with nouns

How to use prepositions with arm

The most common fixed expression here is arm in arm. The combinations of arm and to arm are generally not standard as noun phrases.

Quick answer

Which combinations are natural?

Use arm in arm to describe two people linked together while walking. Of arm is not a normal English expression. To arm usually belongs to the verb arm, not the noun arm.

They walked arm in arm along the beach.
The couple entered arm in arm.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
arm in arm

Describing people linked together

Use arm in arm when two people hold each other's arms while walking or standing together.

The friends left the theatre arm in arm.
2
under someone's arm

Showing position near the arm

Use under someone's arm for objects carried beside the body.

She carried the folder under her arm.
3
in someone's arms

Describing physical holding

Use in someone's arms when a person is being held or embraced.

The child fell asleep in his arms.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
arm in arm
They arrived arm in arm.
linked together by the arms
of arm
The phrase of arm is not a standard English expression.
nonstandard except in rare technical wording
to arm
To arm the device, press the red button.
to arm is normally a verb phrase, not a noun construction with arm
in arms
The villagers were up in arms about the decision.
part of an idiom meaning angry or protesting

Common mistakes

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

Using of arm as a fixed phrase

English does not normally use of arm as a standard expression.

✕ They walked of arm. ✓ They walked arm in arm.

Confusing to arm with the noun arm

To arm is usually the infinitive form of the verb arm.

✕ They stood to arm through the crowd. ✓ They stood arm in arm through the crowd.

Adding extra words to the idiom

The fixed expression is arm in arm, without articles.

✕ They walked an arm in an arm. ✓ They walked arm in arm.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The couple walked ___ after dinner.
2. Which option is normally a verb phrase rather than a noun construction?
3. She carried the books ___ while opening the door.

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Frequently asked questions

What does arm in arm mean?

It describes two people linked together by the arms while walking or standing.

Is of arm correct English?

Not as a normal fixed phrase. It sounds unnatural in everyday English.

Can to arm be correct?

Yes, but usually as a verb phrase meaning prepare or equip, not as a noun expression with arm.

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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