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Prepositions with nouns

Of membership or for membership?

For membership is common when talking about applying, paying, or qualifying. Of membership usually appears in larger noun phrases such as benefits of membership.

Quick answer

Which preposition is used with membership?

The noun membership is commonly used with for when referring to applications, fees, eligibility, or requests. The phrase of membership is not usually attached directly to membership itself, but it appears naturally in expressions such as benefits of membership or conditions of membership, where of links another noun to membership.

She applied for membership last week.
The annual fee for membership is payable online.
One advantage of membership is access to private events.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
apply for membership

Talking about joining an organisation

Use for membership after verbs such as apply, qualify, or register when someone wants to become a member.

He applied for membership at the local club.
Students can qualify for membership after completing the course.
2
fee for membership

Talking about costs or requirements

Use for membership after nouns such as fee, payment, or application to show purpose or reason.

The fee for membership includes insurance.
We received your application for membership yesterday.
3
benefits of membership

Describing results or features of being a member

Use of membership when another noun is connected to membership, such as benefits, conditions, or value.

The main benefit of membership is networking.
They explained the conditions of membership clearly.
4
membership in + organisation

Naming the group someone belongs to

Use in after membership to identify an organisation, club, or association.

Her membership in the union lasted ten years.
membership in professional bodies can improve credibility.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
for membership
They paid for membership at the gym.
Standard for applications, fees, eligibility, or obtaining membership.
of membership
The benefits of membership include free training.
Standard when another noun is linked to membership by of.
membership in
Membership in the association is voluntary.
Used to name the organisation or group.
membership of
Her membership of the committee ended in June.
Possible in some formal varieties of English to show belonging to a group, especially in British English.

Common mistakes

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

Using of membership as a direct replacement for for membership

Of membership usually follows another noun, not verbs like apply or pay.

✕ She applied of membership. ✓ She applied for membership.

Confusing purpose with possession

Use for membership for fees or applications. Use of membership for benefits or conditions.

✕ The benefits for membership are excellent. ✓ The benefits of membership are excellent.

Omitting the organisation after membership in

Membership in normally needs the name of a group or organisation.

✕ He values membership in. ✓ He values membership in the association.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She submitted an application ___ membership.
2. One advantage ___ membership is discounted travel.
3. Membership ___ the academy requires an interview.

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Frequently asked questions

Is for membership correct English?

Yes. It is standard in phrases such as apply for membership, fee for membership, and qualify for membership.

Can I say of membership?

Yes, but usually as part of a larger phrase such as benefits of membership or conditions of membership.

What preposition follows membership when naming a group?

Both membership in and membership of are used, depending on the variety and style of English.

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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