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Prepositions with nouns

Milk with different prepositions

Milk combines naturally with of and with in many noun phrases. To milk usually belongs to the verb milk.

Quick answer

Choosing the right form

Use of milk to describe quantity or content, and with milk for drinks or foods that include milk. To milk is normally a verb phrase, not a noun pattern.

She bought a bottle of milk.
I prefer coffee with milk.
They learned to milk cows on the farm.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
glass of milk

Expressing quantity

Use of after containers and measurements.

He drank a large glass of milk before bed.
2
with milk

Describing added ingredients

Use with for food or drinks containing milk.

She ordered tea with milk and sugar.
3
allergic to milk

Showing reaction or sensitivity

Use to after adjectives such as allergic.

Some children are allergic to milk proteins.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
of milk
a carton of milk
quantity or content
with milk
cereal with milk
including milk
to milk
Farmers wake early to milk the cows.
verb phrase meaning extract milk
milk in
There is milk in the fridge.
in belongs to the location phrase

Common mistakes

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

Using to milk as a noun pattern

To milk is usually an infinitive verb phrase.

✕ a cup to milk ✓ a cup of milk

Confusing of and with

Of expresses quantity; with expresses accompaniment.

✕ coffee of milk ✓ coffee with milk

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She poured a glass ___ milk.
2. I like tea ___ milk.
3. The workers learned ___ milk goats.

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Frequently asked questions

Is with milk correct?

Yes. It is common for drinks and foods containing milk.

What does of milk mean?

It usually follows a container or amount, such as a litre of milk.

Is to milk a noun expression?

Usually no. It is normally part of the verb phrase to milk animals.

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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