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Prepositions with nouns

Using community with of and in

In community is an established phrase meaning together with others. Of community usually appears as part of a larger noun phrase such as sense of community.

Quick answer

Which phrase is correct?

In community can mean living or acting together with others, especially in religious or social contexts. Of community is not usually a fixed phrase by itself, but it appears naturally in expressions like sense of community or members of the community.

live in community
a strong sense of community

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
in community

Living or acting together

Use in community for shared social or communal life.

working in community
2
sense of community

Describing social connection

Of commonly appears in larger expressions connected to community.

sense of community
3
member of the community

Belonging to a group

Of links a person or thing to a specific community.

member of the community

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
in community
The volunteers lived in community for a year.
shared communal life
of community
They discussed the value of community.
of links community as an abstract idea in a larger phrase
community in + place
There is a large community in the city.
in modifies place, not the noun pattern
community of + people
a community of artists
group made up of certain people

Common mistakes

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

Using of community as a standalone phrase

Of community usually needs a larger structure.

✕ They enjoyed of community. ✓ They enjoyed a sense of community.

Confusing in community with location

In community refers to communal life, not simply being inside a place called a community.

✕ She stayed in community yesterday. ✓ She lived in community with other students.

Missing an article with community

Community often needs a determiner in general statements.

✕ He joined community. ✓ He joined the community.

Using of instead of among

Of does not normally describe interaction inside a group.

✕ friendship of community ✓ friendship within the community

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The monks lived ___ community for many years.
2. We want to build a sense ___ community.
3. She became a respected member ___ the community.

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Frequently asked questions

Is in community formal?

It is more common in religious, educational, and social-service contexts.

Can I say of community alone?

Usually no. It normally appears inside a larger phrase such as sense of community.

What is a common alternative to in community?

Together as a community or within the community are common alternatives.

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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