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Prepositions with nouns

Of expansion or for expansion?

Expansion commonly takes of to name what grows and for to show purpose or intended use.

Quick answer

How to use expansion with prepositions

Use expansion of something to describe what is increasing or developing: expansion of the company. Use for expansion to express purpose: money for expansion. The phrase of expansion alone is uncommon without a larger noun phrase.

expansion of the business continued for three years.
The bank approved a loan for expansion.
They discussed the expansion of public transport at the meeting.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
expansion of + thing

Naming what grows or develops

Use of after expansion to identify the business, area, system, or activity that becomes larger.

expansion of the network created new jobs.
The expansion of online services was rapid.
2
funds for expansion

Showing purpose or intended use

Use for expansion when money, space, or planning is intended to support growth.

The company raised capital for expansion into Asia.
They bought extra land for expansion.
3
plan for expansion

Talking about future growth

Use for with nouns such as plan, strategy, or proposal to show the aim of growth.

We approved a plan for expansion.
The board discussed a strategy for expansion overseas.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
expansion of something
The expansion of the airport will take two years.
Names what is becoming larger.
for expansion
The company borrowed money for expansion.
Shows purpose or intended use.
of expansion
The costs of expansion were higher than expected.
Usually part of a larger noun phrase, not a standalone pattern.

Common mistakes

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

Using of expansion as a complete phrase

Of expansion normally follows another noun such as costs, effects, or pace.

✕ The company asked for of expansion. ✓ The company asked for funds for expansion.

Confusing purpose and description

Use of to describe what expands and for to show why something is used.

✕ the expansion for the business ✓ the expansion of the business

Missing the object after of

Expansion of usually needs a noun after it.

✕ the expansion of ✓ the expansion of the market

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The expansion ___ the railway system created jobs.
2. They secured funding ___ expansion.
3. The costs ___ expansion increased quickly.

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Frequently asked questions

Is for expansion correct?

Yes. It is common when talking about purpose, especially with money, land, or planning.

Can I say expansion of a company?

Yes. This is the standard way to identify what is growing.

Is of expansion used alone?

Usually no. It normally appears inside a larger phrase such as costs of expansion or effects of expansion.

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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