balance of + noun
Remaining amount or relationship
Of links balance to what remains or is being compared.
They paid the balance of the fee online.
Balance and prepositions
Balance combines with several prepositions depending on meaning. Some are fixed expressions, while others describe condition or purpose.
Quick answer
Which prepositions are used with balance?
Use balance of for a remaining amount or relationship, on balance for an overall judgment, and in balance for stability or equality. Off balance describes loss of stability.
Please pay the balance of the bill today.
On balance, the plan succeeded.
The gymnast was off balance after the jump.
On balance, the plan succeeded.
The gymnast was off balance after the jump.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
on balance
Giving an overall opinion
On balance means considering everything together.
On balance, the decision was reasonable.
in balance
Showing stability or equality
In balance describes a stable or equal condition.
The ecosystem stayed in balance for years.
off balance
Losing stability
Off balance describes physical or emotional instability.
The sudden movement left him off balance.
balance for + purpose
Specific accounting or trade uses
For appears in set expressions such as balance for payments.
Economists studied the balance for payments data.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
balance of
The balance of the money is due tomorrow.
remaining part or proportion
on balance
On balance, the results were positive.
overall judgment
in balance
Her accounts are in balance.
stable or equal
off balance
The wave knocked him off balance.
unstable
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using on balance for physical stability
On balance means overall judgment, not physical position.
✕ He stood on balance. ✓ He kept his balance.Confusing in balance and balanced
In balance describes a condition; balanced is an adjective.
✓ The budget is in balance.Using for too generally
Balance for appears mainly in specific technical phrases.
✓ The balance of the account remains unpaid.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. ___, the project was successful.
2. The athlete was knocked ___ balance.
3. Please pay the balance ___ the invoice.
Check your sentence in context
Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.
Free to try · No signup required
Frequently asked questions
What does on balance mean?
It means considering all the facts together.
Is off balance a common phrase?
Yes. It describes physical or emotional instability.
Can balance take of?
Yes. Balance of is common for remaining amounts or proportions.
Related preposition guides
Write with confidence in Linguix
Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.
