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Prepositions with nouns

“Of humanity” or “against humanity”?

Against humanity is a fixed legal and moral expression. Of humanity appears in broader noun phrases such as the future of humanity.

Quick answer

Which phrase should you use?

Use against humanity in expressions such as crimes against humanity. Use of humanity after another noun to show connection, for example the history of humanity.

The court investigated crimes against humanity.
They discussed the future of humanity.
The survival of humanity concerns many scientists.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
against humanity

Crimes or actions harming people collectively

This is a fixed expression in legal and ethical contexts.

The report described acts against humanity.
2
future of humanity

Connection or subject

Of links humanity to another noun.

The debate focused on the future of humanity.
3
history of humanity

Human civilisation as a topic

Use of after nouns describing study or description.

She teaches the history of humanity.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
against humanity
The treaty bans crimes against humanity.
Directed at or harming humankind.
of humanity
The future of humanity depends on cooperation.
Belonging to or concerning humankind.

Common mistakes

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

Using against humanity for neutral topics

Against humanity implies harm or opposition.

✕ the history against humanity ✓ the history of humanity

Using of humanity after crimes

The fixed expression is crimes against humanity.

✕ crimes of humanity ✓ crimes against humanity

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The tribunal examined crimes ___
2. Scientists worry about the future ___
3. Choose the natural phrase.

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Frequently asked questions

What does against humanity mean?

It refers to actions considered extremely harmful to people collectively, especially in legal contexts.

Can of humanity be correct?

Yes. It commonly follows nouns such as future, history, or survival.

Is crimes of humanity acceptable?

Standard English uses crimes against humanity.

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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