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Prepositions with nouns

Prepositions used with passage

Passage combines with different prepositions depending on whether you mean movement, text, time, or transport.

Quick answer

Common combinations with passage

Use passage through for movement, passage in for a text section, passage by for movement past something, and passage of for time or laws. With passage is uncommon except in specific contexts.

The tunnel allows passage through the mountain.
I highlighted a passage in the novel.
They watched the passage of time.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
passage of + time or law

Referring to development or approval

Use passage of for time passing or laws being officially approved.

The passage of time changed their views.
Congress approved the passage of the bill yesterday.
2
passage through + place

Describing movement

Use passage through for movement across or within a place.

The bridge permits passage through the valley.
Heavy snow blocked passage through the road.
3
passage in + text

Referring to part of a written work

Use passage in to identify a section within a book, speech, or article.

There is a passage in the report about climate policy.
She quoted a passage in the poem.
4
passage by + object or place

Describing movement past something

Use passage by for movement near or past a location or object.

We observed the passage by the harbour at sunset.
The sensors detected passage by the gate.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
of passage
The cost of passage increased sharply.
Of passage appears in larger noun phrases.
for passage
They applied for passage on the next ship.
Requesting transport or permission to travel.
with passage
The medicine helps with passage through the intestine.
Used when passage means movement through a body or route.
by passage
The village grew by passage of traders.
Possible in specific contexts, but not a common fixed phrase.
in passage
The meaning changes in this passage.
Referring to a specific section of text.

Common mistakes

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

Using in passage for movement

For movement across a place, English usually uses through, not in.

✕ The storm blocked passage in the tunnel. ✓ The storm blocked passage through the tunnel.

Using of passage as a standalone pattern

Of passage normally follows another noun.

✕ We discussed of passage. ✓ We discussed the passage.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The storm blocked passage ___ the mountains.
2. She quoted a passage ___ the article.
3. The passage ___ time can change opinions.

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Frequently asked questions

What does passage of time mean?

It refers to time moving forward or passing.

Can I say passage through a tunnel?

Yes. This is the standard way to describe movement across or inside a route.

Is with passage common?

It is uncommon in general English but can appear in medical or technical contexts about movement through a space.

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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