Sign In Get Started
Preposition before noun

Infrastructure with prepositions

Infrastructure combines naturally with several prepositions depending on meaning. In infrastructure is common for investment and activity within the sector, while of infrastructure usually appears in larger noun phrases.

Quick answer

Should you use of infrastructure or in infrastructure?

In infrastructure is common when talking about investment, work, or change within the infrastructure sector. Of infrastructure usually appears as part of a larger phrase such as the development of infrastructure. The phrase infrastructure of is often more natural than of infrastructure when naming a type or owner.

The government invested heavily in infrastructure
They support innovation in infrastructure
the development of infrastructure in rural areas
transport infrastructure needs repair

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
invest in infrastructure

Talking about funding and development

Use in infrastructure after verbs such as invest, specialise, or work.

The country plans to invest in infrastructure
Private firms are increasing spending in infrastructure
2
development of infrastructure

Describing growth or creation

Of infrastructure is natural after nouns such as development, expansion, or improvement.

The report discusses the development of infrastructure across the region
Funding supports the improvement of infrastructure in small towns
3
infrastructure for + purpose

Showing function or use

For introduces the purpose or area served by the infrastructure.

The city needs better infrastructure for cycling
They built infrastructure for digital payments
4
infrastructure in + place

Locating infrastructure

Use in to show where the infrastructure exists physically.

Public infrastructure in coastal areas is under pressure
The company upgraded infrastructure in its offices

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
of infrastructure
The expansion of infrastructure will take years.
Natural after nouns such as expansion, development, or repair.
in infrastructure
The bank increased its investment in infrastructure.
Natural for activity, investment, or work within the sector.
infrastructure of
The infrastructure of the island was badly damaged.
Natural when infrastructure is followed by an owner or place.
infrastructure in
Infrastructure in remote regions is limited.
Shows location.

Common mistakes

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

Using of infrastructure without a supporting noun

Of infrastructure usually needs a preceding noun such as development or repair.

✕ The government focused of infrastructure. ✓ The government focused on infrastructure.

Confusing in infrastructure with location

In infrastructure often refers to activity within the sector, not physical position.

✕ They invested of infrastructure projects. ✓ They invested in infrastructure projects.

Using infrastructure of when a simple adjective is better

English often prefers compound nouns or adjectives before infrastructure.

✕ the infrastructure of transport ✓ transport infrastructure

Omitting the needed preposition after a noun

Certain nouns commonly take of before infrastructure.

✕ the development infrastructure ✓ the development of infrastructure

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The company plans to invest ___ infrastructure.
2. The report examines the expansion ___ infrastructure.
3. ___ remote areas is often difficult to maintain.

Check your sentence in context

Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

Free to try · No signup required

Frequently asked questions

Is in infrastructure correct?

Yes. It is common after verbs such as invest, work, or specialise.

When is of infrastructure natural?

It is natural after certain nouns, such as development of infrastructure or repair of infrastructure.

Should I say transport infrastructure or infrastructure of transport?

Transport infrastructure is the more natural modern pattern in most contexts.

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"?

Write with confidence in Linguix

Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.

Create a free account