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Prepositions with nouns

Of constitution or in constitution?

Constitution commonly appears with of in noun phrases such as “the constitution of a country.” In constitution is uncommon as a fixed combination, but in can introduce a separate phrase about condition or form.

Quick answer

Which preposition is correct with constitution?

Use of constitution for possession, type, or description: “the constitution of the committee.” The phrase in constitution is not usually a standard fixed combination, though in may appear separately in expressions about physical condition or legal structure.

They debated the constitution of the new republic.
She is weak in constitution after the illness.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
constitution of + organisation/place

Showing whose constitution it is

Use of to identify the country, organisation, or body that has a constitution.

The lawyers reviewed the constitution of the association.
2
constitution of + thing

Describing composition or structure

Use of when talking about the makeup or nature of something.

Scientists studied the constitution of the material.
3
in constitution

Describing physical or natural condition

This expression is literary or formal and refers to someone's physical makeup or temperament.

He was strong in constitution as a young man.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
constitution of
The constitution of the company was updated.
standard form for ownership, structure, or identity
in constitution
She was delicate in constitution.
formal expression about physical nature or health
constitution in
The rights are protected in the constitution.
in introduces the document as a place or source, not a fixed phrase with constitution

Common mistakes

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

Using in constitution for ownership

Use of, not in, when naming whose constitution it is.

✕ the constitution in the country ✓ the constitution of the country

Confusing constitution with location

In the constitution refers to content inside the document.

✕ This rule appears of the constitution. ✓ This rule appears in the constitution.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. They amended the ___ the organisation.
2. He was weak ___ after years of illness.
3. The rule is written ___ the constitution.

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Frequently asked questions

Is in constitution common in modern English?

No. It is mostly formal or literary and usually refers to physical condition or temperament.

Do we say constitution of or constitution for a country?

Constitution of is standard: “the constitution of Canada.”

Can I say in the constitution?

Yes. This means something appears inside the constitutional document.

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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