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Prepositions with nouns

Of hill or down hill?

Down hill describes movement or slope. Of hill is not a normal fixed phrase and usually needs another noun, such as the top of the hill.

Quick answer

Which form is correct?

Use downhill or down the hill for movement toward a lower place. Of hill is incomplete unless linked to another noun.

The children ran down the hill.
The road continues downhill for several kilometres.
We could see the village from the top of the hill.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
down the hill

Movement toward a lower place

Use down the hill for physical movement from a higher point.

They cycled down the hill at high speed.
She walked down the hill to the river.
2
downhill

Adverb or adjective for descent

Downhill can describe movement, direction, or decline.

The path goes downhill after the bridge.
Business has been going downhill recently.
3
of the hill

Part of a larger noun phrase

Use of the hill after another noun such as top, side, or base.

They stood at the base of the hill.
A house sits on the side of the hill.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
of hill
The top of the hill was covered in snow.
Of hill is only natural inside a larger phrase.
down hill
We walked down the hill before sunset.
Shows movement toward a lower place.
downhill
The trail becomes steep downhill.
Common one-word form used as adjective or adverb.
up the hill
They climbed up the hill slowly.
Opposite direction.

Common mistakes

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

Using of hill alone

Of hill needs another noun before it.

✕ They stopped of hill. ✓ They stopped at the top of the hill.

Writing down hill when downhill is intended

Downhill is usually one word as an adjective or adverb.

✕ The economy is going down hill. ✓ The economy is going downhill.

Confusing movement with location

Down the hill shows movement, while on the hill shows location.

✕ The house is down the hill. ✓ The house is on the hill.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The hikers ran ___ before the storm arrived.
2. The road continues ___ after the tunnel.
3. They rested at the top ___ the hill.

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Frequently asked questions

Is downhill one word or two?

Usually one word when used as an adjective or adverb.

Can I say down hill?

Yes, in phrases such as down the hill, but downhill is more common as a single word.

Why is of hill incomplete?

Because of normally connects hill to another noun, such as top of the hill.

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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