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Prepositions with nouns

“Of consumption” or “for consumption”?

For consumption is the common pattern when something is intended to be eaten, used, or consumed. Of consumption usually appears as part of a longer noun phrase such as rate of consumption.

Quick answer

Which phrase is correct?

Use for consumption to mean intended to be consumed: water for consumption, goods for human consumption. Of consumption is not usually used alone after consumption, but it appears naturally in expressions like level of consumption or patterns of consumption.

These berries are safe for consumption.
The report measured the rate of consumption of electricity.
The oil is not intended for consumption by children.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
for consumption

Showing intended use

Use for consumption when something is meant to be eaten, drunk, used, or consumed.

Tap water here is safe for consumption.
The package was labelled for consumption only after cooking.
2
rate of consumption

Describing an amount or pattern

Use of consumption after another noun such as rate, level, or pattern.

Scientists studied the rate of consumption of fossil fuels.
The survey revealed changing patterns of consumption among teenagers.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
for consumption
These mushrooms are not for consumption.
intended to be consumed
of consumption
The study examined levels of consumption.
part of a larger noun phrase describing consumption
consumption of + noun
The consumption of sugar has increased.
what is being consumed

Common mistakes

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

Using of consumption by itself for intended use

To show intended use, use for consumption, not of consumption.

✕ The water is of consumption. ✓ The water is for consumption.

Missing the main noun before of consumption

Of consumption usually depends on another noun such as rate or level.

✕ They analysed of consumption. ✓ They analysed patterns of consumption.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. These products are safe ___ human consumption.
2. The chart shows the rate ___ energy consumption.
3. The label says not ___ consumption.

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Frequently asked questions

Is for consumption formal or informal?

It is common in both formal and everyday English, especially on labels and regulations.

Can I say of consumption alone?

Usually no. It normally follows another noun, such as level of consumption.

What is the difference between consumption of and for consumption?

Consumption of names what is consumed, while for consumption means intended to be consumed.

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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