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Prepositions with tragedy

Of, by, to, in, or from tragedy?

Several prepositions can appear with tragedy, but they express different relationships such as cause, reaction, involvement, or source.

Quick answer

Choosing prepositions with tragedy

Use tragedy of for the subject of a tragic event, tragedy in for location or situation, tragedy from for cause, tragedy to for effect on people, and tragedy by mainly for authorship or agency in special contexts.

The documentary explored the tragedy of war.
Many families suffered from tragedy after the earthquake.
The accident was a tragedy for the whole town.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
tragedy of + event

Describing the subject of a tragic situation

Of introduces the event or issue seen as tragic.

People still remember the tragedy of the fire.
The novel reflects the tragedy of poverty.
2
tragedy in + place or situation

Showing where tragedy happened

In introduces the setting or context.

The country experienced tragedy in several regions after the storm.
There is often tragedy in war.
3
tragedy from + cause

Showing the source or cause

From identifies what caused suffering or disaster.

Communities recovered slowly from tragedy.
Many people suffered from tragedy caused by flooding.
4
tragedy to + person

Showing harmful effect on someone

To introduces the person affected.

The loss was a tragedy to the family.
The closure became a tragedy to local workers.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
tragedy of
The tragedy of the accident shocked the nation.
the tragic event itself
tragedy in
There was tragedy in the village after the storm.
location or context
from tragedy
She recovered from tragedy over time.
source or cause of suffering
tragedy to
The failure was a tragedy to his parents.
effect on someone
tragedy by
The theatre staged a tragedy by Shakespeare.
authorship of a tragic play

Common mistakes

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

Using by tragedy for cause

By tragedy is not normally used to mean caused by tragedy.

✕ The town was damaged by tragedy. ✓ The town suffered from tragedy.

Confusing tragedy to with tragedy for

Both are possible, but for is more common in everyday English.

✕ It was tragedy to everyone. ✓ It was a tragedy for everyone.

Missing an article before tragedy

Singular tragedy often needs a or the.

✕ The accident was tragedy to the town. ✓ The accident was a tragedy to the town.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The film tells the story of the tragedy ___ war.
2. Many residents recovered slowly ___ tragedy.
3. The accident was a tragedy ___ the community.

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Frequently asked questions

Is tragedy by correct?

Yes, but mainly for authorship, as in a tragedy by Sophocles.

Can I say tragedy in war?

Yes. In war describes the context where tragic events happen.

What is the difference between tragedy to and tragedy for?

Both describe impact on people, but tragedy for is more common in everyday speech.

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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