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Prepositions with nouns

Resistance with prepositions

Resistance is commonly followed by to for the thing opposed. Other prepositions depend on the wider sentence.

Quick answer

Which prepositions are used with resistance?

The standard pattern is resistance to something. Resistance in can describe the area where resistance exists, and resistance with may appear in technical contexts. Resistance of and resistance for are limited and context-dependent.

resistance to change
resistance in the region
resistance with antibiotics is increasing
resistance to pressure matters in engineering

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
resistance to + thing

What is opposed or resisted?

Use to for the thing someone rejects, fights, or withstands.

resistance to authority
resistance to infection
2
resistance in + place/field

Where does resistance exist?

Use in for the location, group, or field where resistance occurs.

resistance in rural areas
3
resistance with + substance/condition

Technical or medical contexts

With may describe a condition connected to resistance, especially in science or medicine.

Doctors reported resistance with certain drugs
4
resistance of + group/material

Who or what shows resistance?

Of can identify the person, group, or material that resists.

the resistance of the workers delayed the plan

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
resistance to
Her resistance to new rules surprised everyone.
standard form for something opposed
resistance in
There is strong resistance in the community.
location or group where resistance exists
resistance with
The study found resistance with older antibiotics.
technical association, mainly medical
resistance for
Resistance for change is not idiomatic.
generally nonstandard; use resistance to instead
resistance of
The resistance of the material was tested.
the quality shown by something

Common mistakes

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

Using for instead of to

Use resistance to for the thing opposed.

✕ resistance for change ✓ resistance to change

Confusing location with object

In shows where resistance exists, not what is resisted.

✕ resistance in taxes ✓ resistance to taxes

Overusing with

With is limited and often technical.

✕ resistance with new ideas ✓ resistance to new ideas

Missing the preposition

Resistance usually needs to before the object.

✕ resistance change ✓ resistance to change

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The company faced strong resistance ___ the proposal.
2. There is growing resistance ___ urban areas.
3. Doctors are concerned about resistance ___ antibiotics.

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Frequently asked questions

Is resistance to the most common pattern?

Yes. Use resistance to for the thing opposed or resisted.

Can I say resistance in?

Yes. It refers to the place, group, or field where resistance exists.

Is resistance for correct?

Usually no. English normally uses resistance to instead.

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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