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Prepositions with nouns

Of, in, on, for, or to governance?

Different prepositions with governance express control, involvement, subject matter, purpose, or connection.

Quick answer

Choosing the right preposition with governance

Use governance of for control or management, in governance for participation or context, on governance for topics and discussion, and for governance for purpose. To governance is uncommon and usually not idiomatic.

the governance of public institutions
citizen participation in governance
a report on governance

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
governance of + organisation

Who or what is governed

Governance of identifies the system or body being managed.

the governance of the company
reform of the governance of universities
2
in governance

Participation or context

In governance refers to involvement in governing processes.

women's role in governance
transparency in governance is essential
3
on governance

Topic of discussion

On governance introduces the subject of a report, meeting, or course.

a conference on governance
new guidelines on governance were published
4
for governance

Purpose or suitability

For governance shows intended use or benefit.

a framework for governance
tools for governance and oversight

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
governance of
The governance of the charity has improved.
Shows the body or system being governed.
in governance
Experts in governance attended the event.
Shows involvement or field.
on governance
She teaches a course on governance.
Shows topic or subject.
for governance
The policy creates standards for governance.
Shows purpose or intended function.
to governance
The phrase contribution to governance is possible.
Here to belongs to contribution, not directly to governance. Governance itself rarely takes to.

Common mistakes

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

Using to governance as a direct pattern

Governance normally does not take to directly.

✕ an approach to governance reform to governance ✓ an approach to governance reform

Confusing of and on

Of identifies what is governed, while on introduces a discussion topic.

✕ a report of governance ✓ a report on governance

Using in governance for ownership

Use governance of to show the managed organisation.

✕ the governance in the company ✓ the governance of the company

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The committee discussed standards ___ governance.
2. The governance ___ the school changed last year.
3. Public trust is important ___ governance.

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Frequently asked questions

Is governance of more common than governance in?

They have different meanings. Governance of refers to management structures, while in governance refers to participation or context.

Can I use governance for to mean purpose?

Yes. For governance can describe systems or tools intended to support governance.

Why is to governance unusual?

Governance rarely follows to directly. Usually another noun selects to, as in approach to governance.

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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