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Prepositions with nouns

How to use prepositions with 'assault'

The noun 'assault' commonly appears with 'for' in legal or criminal contexts. 'Of assault' usually appears only as part of a larger expression.

Quick answer

'For assault' vs. 'of assault'

Use 'for assault' when someone is charged, arrested, or punished because of assault. 'Of assault' is not normally used directly after the noun, but it can appear in phrases such as 'victim of assault' where 'of' belongs to another noun.

He was arrested for assault.
She was convicted for assault last year.
The victim of assault received support.
They discussed laws about assault in schools.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
charged/arrested for assault

Showing a criminal accusation

Use 'for assault' after verbs related to criminal charges or punishment.

The suspect was arrested for assault.
She was prosecuted for assault.
2
convicted for assault

Showing legal responsibility

Legal contexts often use 'for assault' after conviction or sentencing verbs.

He was fined for assault.
The man was jailed for assault.
3
victim of assault

Showing experience or relation

Here 'of' belongs to another noun such as 'victim', 'crime', or 'charge'.

She became a victim of assault.
The report included cases of assault.
4
about assault

Talking about the topic

Use 'about' when assault is the subject of discussion.

The class learned about assault prevention.
They held a debate about assault laws.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
for assault
He was arrested for assault.
Reason for a charge, arrest, or punishment.
of assault
The victim of assault testified in court.
Part of a larger noun phrase describing relation or experience.
charged with assault
She was charged with assault.
A very common legal structure using 'with' after 'charged'.
convicted of assault
He was convicted of assault.
Standard legal pattern after 'convicted'.

Common mistakes

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

Using 'of assault' directly after action verbs

After verbs like 'arrested' or 'jailed', English uses 'for assault'.

✕ He was arrested of assault. ✓ He was arrested for assault.

Confusing legal verb patterns

Different legal verbs take different prepositions.

✕ She was charged for assault. ✓ She was charged with assault.

Using 'for assault' after 'convicted' in formal legal English

Many legal contexts prefer 'convicted of assault'.

✕ He was convicted for assault. ✓ He was convicted of assault.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The suspect was arrested ___ assault.
2. She was convicted ___ assault.
3. The victim ___ assault received counselling.

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Frequently asked questions

Is 'for assault' correct?

Yes. It is common after verbs such as 'arrested', 'fined', or 'jailed'.

When is 'of assault' used?

Usually inside a larger phrase such as 'victim of assault' or 'cases of assault'.

Do we say 'charged for assault'?

Standard legal English prefers 'charged with assault'.

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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