Sign In Get Started
Prepositions with nouns

“Of conflict” or “in conflict”?

In conflict is the standard expression for opposition or disagreement. Of conflict usually appears inside a larger noun phrase such as causes of conflict.

Quick answer

Which form is correct?

Use in conflict to describe people, ideas, or interests that oppose each other. Of conflict is not a fixed alternative to in conflict, but it is natural in noun phrases like history of conflict or fear of conflict.

The two reports are in conflict with each other.
They try to avoid situations of conflict in the workplace.
Her personal values are in conflict with company policy.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
in conflict with + person/idea

Showing opposition or incompatibility

Use in conflict with to say that two things disagree or cannot work together.

The witness statement was in conflict with the video evidence.
His schedule is in conflict with mine.
2
conflict between + groups/things

Naming the opposing sides

Use conflict between when both sides are named.

The treaty reduced conflict between the two regions.
There is ongoing conflict between management and staff.
3
of conflict

Using of in descriptive noun phrases

Of conflict can describe the topic or type of another noun, not a direct state of opposition.

The article examined the causes of conflict in the area.
They discussed the long history of conflict between the neighbours.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
in conflict
The two accounts are in conflict.
Standard expression meaning in disagreement or opposition.
in conflict with
Her actions were in conflict with the rules.
Shows incompatibility with something specific.
of conflict
Researchers studied the causes of conflict.
Part of a noun phrase describing conflict as a topic.
conflict over
There was conflict over land rights.
Shows the subject or issue causing disagreement.

Common mistakes

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

Using of conflict as a state expression

Do not use of conflict instead of in conflict for disagreement.

✕ The teams are of conflict. ✓ The teams are in conflict.

Forgetting with after in conflict

Use with when naming the thing that conflicts.

✕ Her plan is in conflict the policy. ✓ Her plan is in conflict with the policy.

Using conflicted instead of in conflict

Conflict is normally used in a phrase with in.

✕ The evidence is conflicted. ✓ The evidence is in conflict.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Their interests are ___ conflict with ours.
2. The report examines the causes ___ conflict.
3. There is growing conflict ___ the two departments.

Check your sentence in context

Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

Free to try · No signup required

Frequently asked questions

Is in conflict the most common expression for disagreement?

Yes. In conflict and in conflict with are standard ways to describe opposition or incompatibility.

Can I say of conflict by itself?

Usually no. Of conflict normally appears as part of a larger noun phrase such as causes of conflict.

What is the difference between conflict between and conflict with?

Conflict between names both sides. Conflict with usually names one side and the thing it opposes.

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"?

Write with confidence in Linguix

Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.

Create a free account