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Prepositions with nouns

Using prepositions with infection

Infection appears with several prepositions, but of infection and to infection have different grammatical roles. The surrounding noun or adjective is important.

Quick answer

Infection with of and to

Of infection usually follows another noun, such as risk of infection or symptoms of infection. To infection is uncommon after a noun but natural after adjectives like vulnerable or resistant.

Doctors warned about the risk of infection after surgery.
The patient showed signs of infection.
Young children are vulnerable to infection in crowded spaces.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
of infection

Naming infection as a condition or risk

Use of infection after nouns such as risk, sign, cause, or spread.

There is a high risk of infection in untreated wounds.
The nurse checked for signs of infection.
2
susceptible to infection

Showing vulnerability

Use to infection after adjectives that describe risk or resistance.

People with weakened immune systems are susceptible to infection.
The skin became prone to infection after the burn.
3
infection in + body part

Showing location

Use in to name where the infection occurs.

The doctor found an infection in the lungs.
She was treated for an infection in her ear.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
of infection
symptoms of infection
infection as the subject or condition
to infection
vulnerable to infection
likely to be affected by infection
infection in + place
an infection in the bloodstream
the location of the infection
infection with + organism
infection with the virus
the organism causing the infection

Common mistakes

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

Using to infection directly after a noun

To infection usually follows an adjective such as prone or resistant.

✕ the risk to infection ✓ the risk of infection

Confusing infection in and infection of

Infection in names a location. Infection of is used mainly in technical medical writing.

✕ an infection of the ear ✓ an infection in the ear

Omitting the adjective before to infection

Use an adjective that licenses to.

✕ Patients to infection need treatment. ✓ Patients susceptible to infection need treatment.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The doctor looked for signs ___ infection.
2. Older adults may be vulnerable ___ infection.
3. She developed an infection ___ her throat.

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Frequently asked questions

Is risk to infection correct?

Usually no. English normally uses risk of infection.

Why can we say vulnerable to infection?

Certain adjectives, including vulnerable, prone, and susceptible, naturally take to.

Can infection be followed by with?

Yes. Infection with is used to identify the organism causing the infection.

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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