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Prepositions before nouns

Using prepositions with “regulation”

Regulation appears in several standard combinations depending on whether you describe rules, compliance, legal authority, or subject matter.

Quick answer

Which preposition goes with “regulation”?

Use regulation of for control over something, regulation on for rules about a topic, by regulation for legal authority, and in regulation mainly in formal or military contexts. With regulation usually appears in phrases such as “comply with regulations,” where with belongs to the verb.

The regulation of emissions became stricter.
The government issued regulations on advertising.
The fee was established by regulation.
All products must comply with regulations.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
regulation of + activity

Describing control or management

Use of when regulation means controlling a process, market, or activity.

the regulation of banking is complex.
regulation of traffic improved safety.
2
regulation on + topic

Referring to a rule about something

On introduces the subject covered by a law or rule.

regulations on imports changed recently.
a regulation on noise levels was introduced.
3
by regulation

Showing legal authority

Use by regulation when something is established through official rules.

Smoking is prohibited by regulation.
The limit was set by regulation.
4
in regulation

Using a formal or specialised expression

In regulation is used in some technical or military contexts to mean according to official standards.

The uniforms were in regulation condition.
The equipment remained in regulation throughout inspection.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
of regulation
The regulation of fishing protects marine life.
Standard for control over an activity.
in regulation
The uniform was kept in regulation condition.
Formal or specialised expression meaning according to standards.
by regulation
The procedure is required by regulation.
Shows legal or official authority.
to regulation
The machine was built to regulation standards.
To belongs to standards or rules, not directly to regulation alone.
with regulation
Companies must comply with regulations.
With usually connects to a verb such as comply.

Common mistakes

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

Using with directly after regulation

Regulation itself is not usually followed by with.

✕ The regulation with safety changed. ✓ The regulation on safety changed.

Confusing regulation of and regulation on

Of means control over something; on means about a topic.

✓ The regulation of trade differs from regulations on trade.

Using in regulation in everyday contexts

This phrase is limited to formal or specialised uses.

✓ The equipment met regulations.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The government announced new regulations ___ data privacy.
2. The regulation ___ financial markets remains controversial.
3. All staff must comply ___ regulations.

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Frequently asked questions

Is “regulation of” correct?

Yes. It is standard when talking about controlling an activity or system.

Can I say “regulation on”?

Yes. It is common for laws or rules about a subject, such as “regulations on safety.”

What does “by regulation” mean?

It means something is required or established through official rules or legal authority.

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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