joke about + topic
Talking about the subject of humour
Use “about” when the joke concerns a subject or situation.
He told a joke about school life.
How to use prepositions with “joke”
The noun and verb forms of “joke” combine with different prepositions depending on meaning. Some combinations in the query are not standard before the noun itself.
Quick answer
Common combinations with “joke”
The most common patterns are “joke about” for a topic, “joke on” for a trick at someone’s expense, and “joke with” for friendly humour involving someone. “Joke of” and “joke inside” are not standard fixed combinations before the noun.
They made a joke about the weather.
The prank was a joke on the new employee.
She likes to joke with her colleagues.
The prank was a joke on the new employee.
She likes to joke with her colleagues.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
joke on + person
Describing a trick played on someone
Use “on” when someone is the target of the joke.
It was a joke on his brother.
joke with + person
Sharing humour with someone
Use “with” for friendly joking involving another person.
She often joke with her neighbours.
joke for + audience
Showing who the joke is intended for
Use “for” when describing the intended audience or purpose.
That joke is not for children.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
joke about
They laughed at a joke about politics.
a joke concerning a topic
joke on
The fake invitation was a joke on Mark.
a trick or prank aimed at someone
joke with
I can joke with my cousins easily.
share humour together
joke for
This joke is for older audiences.
intended audience or purpose
joke of
He became the joke of the office.
part of the expression “the joke of” meaning a laughing stock, not a general pattern with joke
inside joke
They shared an inside joke.
“inside” is normally an adjective here, not a preposition before joke
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using “joke of” as a general pattern
“Joke of” is limited to expressions like “the joke of the town”.
✕ a joke of politics ✓ a joke about politicsUsing “inside joke” as a prepositional phrase
In “inside joke”, “inside” functions as an adjective.
✓ They shared an inside joke.Confusing “joke on” and “joke with”
“Joke on” targets someone; “joke with” means friendly humour together.
✕ I like to joke on my friends. ✓ I like to joke with my friends.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. They made a joke ___ the manager’s speech.
2. The fake email was a joke ___ the interns.
3. She can joke ___ her teammates without offending them.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I say “joke of politics”?
Usually no. Use “joke about politics” for the topic of humour.
What does “joke on someone” mean?
It refers to a prank or joke played at someone’s expense.
Is “inside joke” correct?
Yes. Here “inside” is an adjective meaning understood only by a small group.
Related preposition guides
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