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Prepositions with nouns

Battery with different prepositions

Battery commonly appears with prepositions such as in, for, and on depending on meaning. Some combinations are fixed technical expressions, while others are uncommon.

Quick answer

Which prepositions are used with battery?

Use in for location inside a device, for to show purpose or compatibility, and on in the phrase on battery power. With battery is possible when describing something that includes a battery. Of battery is uncommon except in technical phrases such as battery life or battery capacity.

The remote has a weak battery in it.
I need a new battery for my camera.
The laptop is running on battery.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
battery in + device

Showing where the battery is located

Use in when the battery is inside a machine or object.

There is a rechargeable battery in the speaker.
2
battery for + equipment

Showing purpose or compatibility

Use for when a battery is intended for a specific device.

She bought a spare battery for the drone.
3
on battery

Describing battery power

On battery or on battery power means a device is using stored power instead of mains electricity.

The tablet can operate on battery for eight hours.
4
with + battery

Describing included features

With battery describes an item that includes a battery.

The toy comes with a battery included.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
battery in
There is a battery in the alarm.
Shows location inside something.
battery for
This is the correct battery for the radio.
Shows intended use or compatibility.
on battery
The computer is still running on battery.
Shows power source.
with battery
The package arrived with a battery attached.
Shows accompaniment or included part.
of battery
The battery's capacity is low.
Of battery is usually not idiomatic before battery itself; English more often uses possessive forms or compounds such as battery capacity.

Common mistakes

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

Using of battery as a normal modifier

English usually uses compounds or possessives instead of of battery.

✕ the life of battery ✓ the battery life

Confusing in and on

In refers to location inside a device. On battery refers to a power source.

✕ The battery is on the phone. ✓ The battery is in the phone.

Using for with physical location

For shows purpose, not position.

✕ There is a battery for the flashlight. ✓ There is a battery in the flashlight.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. I need a new battery ___ my watch.
2. The emergency light is running ___ battery.
3. There is a small battery ___ the sensor.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I say on battery power?

Yes. On battery power is a common expression for devices using stored electrical power.

Is of battery correct?

It is uncommon in ordinary English. Compounds such as battery life or possessive forms are more natural.

What is the difference between battery for and battery in?

Battery for shows purpose or compatibility, while battery in shows physical 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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