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Prepositions with nouns

“of country” or “in country” with country

In country usually refers to location. Of country is not a fixed phrase and normally appears in larger structures such as history of a country.

Quick answer

Which form is correct?

Use in country to mean inside a particular nation or within national borders. Of country is uncommon on its own and normally belongs to a longer phrase that shows possession, description, or topic, such as the economy of a country.

She worked in country for two years.
The traditions of a country often change over time.
Food prices vary from country to country.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
in + country

Location within a nation

Use in with country to talk about being inside a nation or operating there.

They invested heavily in the country.
She has family in another country
2
of + a country

Features or topics related to a nation

Use of a country after another noun to describe something connected to that nation.

the population of the country
the history of a country
3
country to country

Variation between nations

This fixed expression compares different nations.

Rules differ from country to country.
Prices change country to country.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
in country
The staff stayed in country during the project.
Inside a particular nation or within national borders.
of country
The phrase is unusual alone; English normally uses a larger phrase such as culture of a country.
Not a common standalone construction.
across the country
The campaign spread across the country.
Throughout a nation.

Common mistakes

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

Using of country as a complete phrase

English usually needs another noun before of country.

✕ The customs of country are different. ✓ The customs of the country are different.

Missing an article with singular country

Singular countable nouns usually need an article.

✕ She moved to country. ✓ She moved to the country.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She spent six months ___ the country.
2. The economy ___ the country improved last year.
3. Travel habits differ from country ___ country.

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Frequently asked questions

Is of country correct English?

It is usually only correct inside a larger phrase such as government of the country or culture of a country.

What does in country mean?

It means inside a particular nation or operating within that nation.

Can I say country to country?

Yes. It describes variation or movement between different nations.

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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