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Prepositions with nouns

Should you use “of cup” or “in cup”?

In cup is natural when talking about location inside a cup. Of cup is not a standard fixed combination except in longer noun phrases such as the handle of the cup.

Quick answer

Using prepositions with “cup”

Use in a cup or in the cup for something located inside. Of cup is generally not idiomatic on its own. Use of with a larger noun phrase such as the edge of the cup or a cup of tea.

There is sugar in the cup.
a cup of coffee
She noticed a crack on the side of the cup.
The spoon was left in a cup on the table.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
in a/the cup

Showing location inside a cup

Use in when something is physically inside the cup.

There is milk in the cup.
He left the tea bag in a cup.
2
cup of + drink/food

Naming contents or quantity

Use cup of to describe what the cup contains or a measured amount.

a cup of soup
a cup of tea
3
part of the cup

Describing a section or feature

Use of after another noun when referring to a part belonging to the cup.

The handle of the cup was broken
The rim of the cup was chipped

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
in cup
There was ice cream in the cup.
In shows that something is inside the cup.
of cup
the colour of the cup
Of normally follows another noun and shows relationship or possession.
cup of
She ordered a cup of coffee.
Cup of introduces the contents or quantity.
on the cup
There was lipstick on the cup.
On refers to the surface of the cup, not the inside.

Common mistakes

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

Using “of cup” without another noun

English normally needs a noun before of in this structure.

✕ I like the design of cup. ✓ I like the design of the cup.

Confusing inside and surface meanings

In means inside the cup, while on means attached to the surface.

✕ There was tea on the cup. ✓ There was tea in the cup.

Leaving out the article

Cup usually needs a or the in singular countable use.

✕ The spoon is in cup. ✓ The spoon is in the cup.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. There is hot chocolate ___ the cup.
2. She drank a cup ___ coffee before work.
3. The handle ___ the cup is loose.

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Frequently asked questions

Is “of cup” correct English?

Not usually by itself. English normally uses another noun before of, such as the edge of the cup.

When should I use “in the cup”?

Use in the cup when something is located inside the cup.

What is the difference between “cup of tea” and “tea in the cup”?

Cup of tea names the drink or serving. Tea in the cup describes location.

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