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Prepositions with nouns

Using prepositions with industry

Industry combines with several prepositions, but each one has a different meaning. The surrounding words determine which preposition is natural.

Quick answer

Industry with different prepositions

Use industry in for a business sector, industry of for a type or characteristic, industry with in limited descriptive contexts, and by industry when grouping data. Industry to is uncommon and usually belongs to another structure.

She works in the tourism industry.
The growth of the technology industry has been rapid.
The report is organised by industry and region.
They are known for diligence and industry.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
in the industry

Working within a business sector

Use in the industry to describe employment or activity within a field.

He has spent twenty years in the film industry.
Many graduates hope to work in the fashion industry.
2
of + industry

Describing a type or feature of industry

Use of before industry when another noun is the main subject.

The decline of the steel industry affected the town.
Experts discussed the future of British industry.
3
by industry

Grouping information

Use by industry when organising or comparing data according to business sector.

The statistics are broken down by industry.
Wages vary by industry and location.
4
industry with + noun

Describing a quality connected to industry

Industry with is uncommon but possible when with introduces an accompanying feature.

The region combines industry with innovation.
The project links industry with education.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
in the industry
a career in the banking industry
working within a business field
of the industry
leaders of the industry
belonging to or connected with a sector
by industry
employment figures by industry
grouped according to sector
to industry
investment flowed to industry
to is part of a movement or direction phrase, not a fixed combination with industry
with industry
She worked with industry partners.
with introduces partners or company, not a fixed preposition for industry

Common mistakes

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

Using to industry as a fixed pattern

Industry does not normally take to as its standard preposition.

✕ He works to industry. ✓ He works in industry.

Confusing in industry and by industry

In industry refers to working within a field, while by industry means grouped according to field.

✕ The data is shown in industry. ✓ The data is shown by industry.

Omitting the article in common expressions

Use the before many specific industries.

✕ She works in tourism industry. ✓ She works in the tourism industry.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She has experience ___ the publishing industry.
2. The chart is organised ___ industry.
3. Experts discussed the future ___ the car industry.

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Frequently asked questions

Is in industry correct?

Yes. It is common for talking about work or activity within a business sector.

Can industry be used with by?

Yes. By industry is common in reports, charts, and statistics.

Is to industry a normal English pattern?

Not usually. To may appear in larger phrases such as investment to industry, but it is not a regular fixed combination.

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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