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Prepositions with nouns

Of district or in district?

In district usually refers to location inside a district. Of district is uncommon alone but appears in longer noun phrases such as residents of the district.

Quick answer

Which form is correct?

Use in district to mean inside a district or within district boundaries. Use of with district mainly in a larger noun phrase such as map of the district or residents of the district. The short phrase of district is not usually idiomatic by itself.

She works in the district office.
The residents of the district voted yesterday.
Most schools in district receive local funding.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
in the district

Location inside a district

Use in the district for places, events, or activities within a district.

Several parks are located in the district.
He teaches in the district during the summer.
2
district + noun

Administrative or geographic compounds

District often works as an adjective before another noun.

district office hours were extended.
district court records are public.
3
of the district

Belonging or connection

Use of the district to show association with a district.

The history of the district is complex.
Citizens of the district attended 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 district
Students living in district pay lower fees.
Inside the district or within its boundaries.
of district
The phrase of district alone sounds incomplete in modern English.
Usually needs a determiner or another noun, such as of the district.
of the district
The mayor of the district spoke today.
Connected with a specific district.

Common mistakes

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

Using of district without context

The phrase usually needs an article or another noun.

✕ citizens of district ✓ citizens of the district

Confusing location with possession

In the district shows place, while of the district shows connection.

✕ She lives of the district ✓ She lives in the district

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The museum is located ___ the district.
2. The history ___ the district is well documented.
3. Families living ___ district can apply first.

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Frequently asked questions

Is in district always written with the?

No. In district appears in education and administrative contexts, especially in American English, but in the district is also common.

Can I say of district by itself?

Usually no. English normally uses of the district or another fuller phrase.

What is a common compound with district?

Common examples include district office, district court, and district manager.

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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