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Prepositions with nouns

Using “journal” with prepositions

“In a journal” is the standard phrase for publication or writing location. “Of journal” is uncommon except inside longer noun phrases.

Quick answer

Which form is correct?

Use “in a journal” when something appears or is written there. “Of journal” is not a common standalone pattern with “journal”, though it may appear in phrases like “the cover of the journal”.

Her article appeared in a journal last year.
He writes regularly in his journal.
The editor of the journal approved the article.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
in a journal

Showing where something is published or written

Use “in” for content appearing inside a publication or personal journal.

The study was published in a medical journal.
2
of the journal

Showing possession or association

Use “of” in larger noun phrases connected to the journal.

The title of the journal changed recently.
3
journal for + audience

Describing intended readers

Use “for” to show the target audience.

It is a journal for teachers.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
in a journal
Her findings appeared in a journal.
inside a publication
of the journal
The editor of the journal resigned.
association or possession
journal on
a journal on climate science
topic of the publication
journal for
a journal for engineers
intended audience

Common mistakes

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

Using “of journal” alone

This combination is usually incomplete.

✕ The article appeared of journal. ✓ The article appeared in a journal.

Missing an article with “journal”

Countable singular nouns usually need an article.

✕ It was published in journal. ✓ It was published in a journal.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The paper was published ___ a respected journal.
2. The editor ___ the journal wrote the introduction.
3. It is a journal ___ historians.

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Frequently asked questions

Is “in journal” correct without an article?

Usually no. Say “in a journal” or “in the journal”.

Can “of journal” be correct?

Only as part of a larger phrase such as “the editor of the journal”.

What preposition is used for publication topics?

“On” is common, as in “a journal on economics”.

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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