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Prepositions with nouns

Prepositions used with “survey”

Different prepositions with “survey” express topic, purpose, participants, or results.

Quick answer

Common combinations

Use “survey of” for the subject being studied, “survey on” for the topic, and “survey for” for purpose or target group. “Survey in” and “survey to” are less common and usually belong to a larger structure.

The company conducted a survey of local businesses.
We completed a survey on workplace stress.
This is a survey for university students.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
survey of + group/topic

Naming what is examined

Use “of” for the people, area, or thing being studied.

They carried out a survey of customer opinions.
2
survey on + topic

Giving the subject of the survey

Use “on” before a topic or issue.

We read a survey on online learning.
3
survey for + purpose/group

Showing purpose or intended participants

Use “for” to explain why the survey exists or who it is aimed at.

The clinic created a survey for new patients.
4
survey in + place/field

Locating the survey

“In” usually refers to a place or field, not the survey topic itself.

Researchers conducted a survey in rural areas.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
survey of
A survey of teachers showed rising stress.
focuses on the people or things examined
survey on
We completed a survey on public transport.
focuses on the topic
survey for
This survey is for parents.
shows purpose or target audience
survey in
They conducted a survey in several schools.
shows location or field
survey to
The survey was sent to employees.
“to” usually relates to sending or giving, not directly to “survey”

Common mistakes

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

Using “survey to” as the main pattern

“Survey to” is uncommon directly after the noun. Use “survey of” or “survey on” instead.

✕ a survey to climate change ✓ a survey on climate change

Confusing topic and participants

Use “of” for participants and “on” for topics.

✕ a survey on employees ✓ a survey of employees

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. They carried out a survey ___ local residents.
2. We answered a survey ___ remote work.
3. The form was designed ___ new customers.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I use “survey on” and “survey about”?

Yes. Both are common for topics, although “survey on” is often more formal.

Is “survey in” correct?

Yes, when referring to location or field, such as “a survey in Europe” or “a survey in education”.

Why is “survey to” uncommon?

“To” usually connects with verbs around the noun, such as “send a survey to employees”, rather than describing the survey itself.

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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