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Prepositions with nouns

Commissioner with prepositions

Different prepositions with commissioner express different relationships. Common combinations include “by a commissioner,” “to the commissioner,” and “from the commissioner.”

Quick answer

Which prepositions are used with “commissioner”?

Use “by” for actions performed by a commissioner, “to” for communication directed to a commissioner, and “from” for communication coming from a commissioner. “Commissioner of” appears in official titles such as “Commissioner of Police.” “With commissioner” is not a common fixed combination, but “with the commissioner” can act as a separate phrase showing company or interaction.

The order was signed by the commissioner yesterday.
She sent a complaint to the commissioner last month.
We received a letter from the commissioner this morning.
He met with the commissioner after the hearing.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
commissioner of + field/department

Giving an official title

Use “commissioner of” in formal titles for responsibility over an area or department.

She was appointed Commissioner of Education.
The Commissioner of Police spoke to reporters.
2
by the commissioner

Showing an action performed by a commissioner

Use “by” when the commissioner is the agent performing an action.

The rules were approved by the commissioner.
The decision was announced by the commissioner at noon.
3
to the commissioner

Directing communication or requests

Use “to” when something is addressed or sent to a commissioner.

They submitted a petition to the commissioner.
Please send your response to the commissioner by Friday.
4
from the commissioner

Showing origin or source

Use “from” when communication or authority comes from a commissioner.

We received instructions from the commissioner.
The memo from the commissioner caused confusion.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
commissioner of
The Commissioner of Transport attended the event.
official title showing responsibility for an area
by the commissioner
The permit was signed by the commissioner.
the commissioner performs the action
to the commissioner
Residents wrote to the commissioner.
directed toward the commissioner
with the commissioner
The mayor met with the commissioner.
together with or in discussion with the commissioner; not a fixed noun-preposition pair
from the commissioner
The announcement came from the commissioner.
originating from the commissioner

Common mistakes

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

Using “commissioner of” for ordinary relationships

“Commissioner of” is mainly used in official titles.

✕ I spoke to the commissioner of yesterday. ✓ I spoke to the commissioner yesterday.

Confusing “to” and “from”

Use “to” for direction and “from” for origin.

✕ We received a complaint to the commissioner. ✓ We received a complaint from the commissioner.

Treating “with commissioner” as a fixed phrase

Usually an article or determiner is needed.

✕ She met with commissioner after lunch. ✓ She met with the commissioner after lunch.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The report was approved ___ the commissioner.
2. They sent a formal request ___ the commissioner.
3. The Commissioner ___ Health issued a warning.

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Frequently asked questions

What does “Commissioner of Police” mean?

It is an official title for the person responsible for a police department or force.

Can I say “meet with the commissioner”?

Yes. Here “with” shows interaction or company, not a fixed preposition selected by the noun commissioner.

Is “from commissioner” correct without an article?

Usually English uses an article or name: “from the commissioner” or “from Commissioner Lee.”

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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