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Prepositions with ball

Ball with of and with

Ball commonly takes of in noun phrases describing material or type. With ball is common in sports and movement contexts.

Quick answer

Which is correct: of ball or with ball?

Use ball of to describe shape or material, such as a ball of yarn. Use with the ball or with a ball for possession, use, or accompaniment.

She rolled a ball of dough onto the table.
The striker ran with the ball toward the goal.
The children played with a ball outside.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
ball of + material

Describing shape or contents

Of links ball to the material or substance.

He threw a ball of paper into the bin.
2
with the ball

Possession in sports

With shows possession or control of the ball.

The midfielder advanced with the ball quickly.
3
play with a ball

Using a ball in an activity

With introduces the object used in play.

Toddlers love to play with a ball.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
of ball
The surface of the ball was wet.
part of a larger noun phrase, not a fixed combination
with ball
The coach practised drills with the ball.
having or using the ball
ball of
She held a ball of wool.
shape or grouped material
with a ball
The dog ran with a ball in its mouth.
accompaniment or possession

Common mistakes

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

Using of before ball for material

The standard order is ball of something.

✕ of ball yarn ✓ ball of yarn

Leaving out the article

Ball often needs a or the in singular use.

✕ play with ball ✓ play with a ball

Confusing sports and material meanings

With is for possession or use; of is for material or composition.

✓ a ball of ice

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She made a ball ___ clay.
2. The player sprinted ___ the ball.
3. The children like to play ___ a ball.

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Frequently asked questions

What does ball of mean?

It describes a rounded mass of material, such as a ball of string.

Is with the ball correct in sports?

Yes. It means possessing or controlling the ball.

Can I say of ball?

Usually only in larger phrases such as the colour of the ball.

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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