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Prepositions with nouns

Using company with of and for

For company is a common phrase meaning companionship. Of company usually appears inside larger expressions such as director of the company.

Quick answer

Which phrase should you use?

For company means to avoid being alone or to have companionship. Of company is not normally used alone, but it is natural in larger noun phrases such as owner of the company.

She kept the radio on for company.
director of the company

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
for company

Meaning companionship

Use for company when someone or something keeps another person from feeling alone.

He invited a friend over for company.
2
of the company

Showing belonging or role

Of commonly links a role or part to a company.

president of the company
3
company with + person

Describing companionship

With introduces the person accompanying someone.

She enjoyed the evening in the company with friends

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
for company
She watches television for company.
to feel less alone
of company
The future of the company is uncertain.
part of a larger phrase about a business
company of + person
I enjoyed the company of my cousins.
presence or companionship of people
in company with
The CEO arrived in company with advisers.
formal expression meaning together with

Common mistakes

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

Using of company without context

Of company is incomplete by itself.

✕ He stayed of company. ✓ He stayed for company.

Confusing company with companionship

Company can mean a business or companionship.

✕ She joined the company for business meaning companionship ✓ She wanted some company.

Using for company after roles

Roles normally take of the company.

✕ manager for company ✓ manager of the company

Using company with instead of company of

The fixed phrase is company of someone.

✕ the company with friends ✓ the company of friends

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. He left the music on ___ company.
2. She is the founder ___ the company.
3. I enjoyed the company ___ my neighbours.

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Frequently asked questions

What does for company mean?

It means to have companionship or avoid feeling alone.

Is of company correct?

Only inside larger phrases such as future of the company or owner of the company.

Can company mean both people and business?

Yes. Context shows whether it means companionship or a business organisation.

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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