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Prepositions before nouns

'Of body' vs. 'in body'

Of body and in body appear in different grammatical structures. In body alone is uncommon outside technical or specialised contexts.

Quick answer

Typical usage

Use body of for grouped or descriptive meanings, and in the body for location inside a text or physical body. Of body usually follows another noun.

body of water
The details appear in the body of the email.
the shape of the body

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
body of + noun

Describing a collection or form

Use of after body in many fixed expressions.

body of evidence
2
in the body

Referring to an internal location

Use in for something contained physically or structurally.

The virus remains in the body for weeks.
3
body language

Talking about physical communication

This common compound noun does not need a preposition.

body language can reveal stress.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
of body
the movement of the body
part of a larger descriptive phrase
in body
Fat is stored in the body.
inside the physical body; article usually needed
body of
a body of work
a collection or large amount
body in
a body in the river
in introduces a separate place phrase

Common mistakes

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

Using in body without an article

English usually requires the body.

✕ The medicine stays in body. ✓ The medicine stays in the body.

Using of body alone

Of body normally follows another noun.

✕ She complained of body. ✓ She complained of body pain.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The information is ___ the body of the report.
2. Choose the fixed expression.
3. The chemical stays ___ the body.

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Frequently asked questions

What does 'body of work' mean?

It means all the work produced by a person or group.

Is 'in body' correct without 'the'?

Usually no in everyday English.

Can 'body' mean a group of people?

Yes. For example, 'a governing body'.

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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