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Prepositions with nouns

Of defence or in defence?

In defence is a common expression meaning 'supporting' or 'protecting'. Of defence is not usually a fixed phrase by itself, but it can appear inside longer noun phrases such as ministry of defence.

Quick answer

Use in defence for support or protection

Use in defence when someone speaks or acts to support a person, idea, or action. Of defence usually belongs to a larger noun phrase, not a standalone pattern with defence.

She spoke in defence of her colleague.
The lawyer acted in defence of his client.
They work at the Ministry of Defence.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
in defence of + person/idea

Showing support or protection

Use in defence of when defending someone or something against criticism or attack.

Several experts testified in defence of the policy.
He jumped up in defence of his friend.
2
defence against + threat

Naming protection from danger

Use against to say what is being defended from.

The vaccine offers defence against infection.
The walls provided defence against attack.
3
defence of + noun

Using of in formal noun phrases

Of can follow defence in formal structures where the noun is modified or specified.

The defence of the city lasted for weeks.
They discussed the defence of human rights at the meeting.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
in defence of
She spoke in defence of the proposal.
A standard expression meaning support or protection.
of defence
the Ministry of Defence
Part of a larger title or noun phrase, not usually a standalone expression.
defence against
The shield is a defence against arrows.
Shows the danger or attack being resisted.
defence of
The defence of free speech matters to many voters.
A formal structure referring to the act of defending something.

Common mistakes

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

Using of defence as a complete phrase

Of defence is normally incomplete unless it belongs to a larger noun phrase.

✕ She argued of defence her brother. ✓ She argued in defence of her brother.

Forgetting of after in defence

The expression is usually in defence of someone or something.

✕ He spoke in defence the plan. ✓ He spoke in defence of the plan.

Confusing defence against with in defence of

Against introduces a threat, while in defence of introduces the thing being supported.

✕ The wall was built in defence of storms. ✓ The wall was built as a defence against storms.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The scientist spoke ___ defence of the new study.
2. The vaccine provides defence ___ several diseases.
3. They work for the Ministry ___ Defence.

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Frequently asked questions

Is in defence of formal or informal?

It is common in both formal and neutral English, especially in discussions, law, and politics.

Can I say defence against something?

Yes. Defence against is used for protection from danger, attack, illness, or criticism.

Is of defence wrong?

By itself, it is not a normal fixed expression. It is usually part of a longer phrase such as Ministry of Defence or defence of the city.

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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