Sign In Get Started
Prepositions before nouns

Label with prepositions

Label appears with different prepositions depending on whether you mean position, purpose, or attachment.

Quick answer

Which prepositions are common with label?

Label on is common for position. Label for shows purpose or identification. Label with appears in phrases like label with a barcode. Label of is uncommon except in larger noun phrases. Label to is rare and usually linked to verbs such as attach a label to.

the label on the bottle
a label for each folder
Please label with clear instructions.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
label on + object

Showing position

Use label on to describe where a label is attached.

the warning label on the box
a price label on each item
2
label for + item

Showing purpose or identification

Use label for when identifying something.

a label for the sample
new labels for storage containers
3
label with + information

Adding identifying information

Use label with after the verb label to show what information is added.

Please label the files with today's date.
The jars were labeled with numbers.
4
label attached to + object

Showing attachment

Use to after verbs such as attach or stick.

a label attached to the suitcase
The tag was glued to the package.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
of label
the colour of the label
Of links another noun to label.
on label
The ingredients are listed on the label.
Shows position on a label.
with label
a folder with a label
Describes an object that has a label.
to label
Attach the label to the box.
To shows attachment after verbs.
for label
We need paper for labels.
For can express purpose, not a fixed phrase with label.

Common mistakes

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

Using label to as a noun phrase

To is more natural with verbs like attach.

✕ a label to the bottle ✓ a label on the bottle

Confusing label for with label on

For identifies purpose; on shows location.

✕ the label for the bottle is torn ✓ the label on the bottle is torn

Missing the object after label with

Label with usually follows a verb phrase.

✕ the box with labeled numbers ✓ the box was labeled with numbers

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. There is a warning label ___ the package.
2. We printed a label ___ each drawer.
3. Please label the samples ___ dates.

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

Do we say label on or label in?

Label on is the normal expression for position.

What does label for mean?

It identifies the intended object or category.

Can to be used with label?

Yes, mainly with verbs such as attach a label to a box.

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"?

Write with confidence in Linguix

Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.

Create a free account