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Prepositions with nouns

“Of location” or “on location”

“On location” is a standard phrase used for filming or working at a real place. “Of location” usually appears after another noun, such as “the exact location of the office.”

Quick answer

Quick answer

Use “on location” for filming or working at an actual site. Use “location of” when identifying where something is.

The movie was filmed on location in Spain
the location of the station

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
on location

Working or filming at a real site

This fixed phrase is common in film, television, and photography.

The crew spent six weeks on location
2
location of + noun

Identifying where something is

Use “of” after “location” to specify the place of something.

the location of the archive
3
in a location

Referring to a place generally

Use “in” when speaking about being inside or within a place.

They operate in a location near the coast

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
of location
The phrase alone is unnatural; English usually uses “location of.”
“Of” normally follows the noun “location.”
on location
The documentary was shot on location.
At an actual site rather than in a studio.
location of
Please confirm the location of the meeting.
Identifies where something is.

Common mistakes

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

Using “of location” as a fixed phrase

English normally uses “location of.”

✕ the map of location ✓ the map showing the location

Using “on location” for ordinary position

This phrase is mainly for filming or professional work.

✕ My keys are on location in the kitchen. ✓ My keys are in the kitchen.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The series was filmed ___.
2. We need the ___ the emergency exit.
3. Which form is generally nonstandard?

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Frequently asked questions

What does “on location” mean?

It means working or filming at a real place rather than in a studio.

Is “of location” correct?

Usually no. Standard English uses “location of.”

Can “location” take other prepositions?

Yes. Common examples include “at a location” and “in a location.”

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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