Prepositions with nouns

“Of meeting” or “in meeting” with “meeting”

English usually uses “in a meeting” to describe someone attending a meeting. “Of meeting” is uncommon unless “meeting” is part of a longer noun phrase such as “the time of the meeting”.

Quick answer

Which phrase is correct?

Use “in a meeting” when talking about participation or presence at a meeting. “Of meeting” is not normally used directly before “meeting” unless another noun controls the phrase, such as “minutes of the meeting” or “the purpose of the meeting.”

She is currently in a meeting with the finance team.
We discussed the goals of the meeting before lunch.
I cannot answer now because I am in a meeting.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

in a meeting

Showing that someone is attending a meeting

Use this pattern to describe a person's current activity or location.

The director is in a meeting until noon.

Please stay quiet; they are in a meeting next door.

at a meeting

Referring to attendance at an event

Use “at a meeting” when focusing on attendance rather than participation inside the discussion.

I saw her at a meeting yesterday.

Several investors spoke at the meeting.

of the meeting

Describing something connected to a meeting

Use this structure after another noun to show relationship or ownership.

The chair opened the first part of the meeting.

We reviewed the agenda of the meeting carefully.

See the difference in context

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

Construction

Example

Meaning

in a meeting

He is in a meeting right now.

Correct for describing participation in a meeting.

of the meeting

The summary of the meeting was emailed later.

Correct when another noun is linked to the meeting.

of meeting

They discussed the purpose of meeting clients online.

Possible only when “meeting” is a gerund meaning “meeting clients,” not the noun “a meeting.”

in meeting

In meeting new colleagues, she stays formal.

Possible when “meeting” is a gerund after “in,” not when referring to an event called a meeting.

Common mistakes

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

Using “in meeting” for an event

English normally needs an article before the countable noun “meeting.”

✕ She is in meeting now. ✓ She is in a meeting now.

Using “of meeting” without a controlling noun

“Of meeting” alone is not a natural phrase for a business or social meeting.

✕ We talked of meeting yesterday. ✓ We talked about the meeting yesterday.

Confusing noun and gerund uses

“Meeting” can be a noun or a verb form. The structure changes with the meaning.

✕ He is of meeting the team. ✓ He is meeting the team.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She cannot come to the phone because she is ___ .

2. We reviewed the agenda ___ before lunch.

3. I met him ___ yesterday afternoon.

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Frequently asked questions

Is “in meeting” ever correct?

Yes, but usually only when “meeting” is a gerund, as in “In meeting customers, she stays polite.” It is not standard for a business meeting event.

Can I say “of meeting”?

Usually no when referring to a meeting event. English normally uses a larger phrase such as “the topic of the meeting.”

What is the difference between “in a meeting” and “at a meeting”?

“In a meeting” emphasizes active participation or being occupied. “At a meeting” focuses more on attendance or location.

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