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Prepositions with nouns

Of party or to party?

Neither of party nor to party is usually a complete standard pattern by itself. Both normally appear inside longer expressions.

Quick answer

How are these forms used?

Of party commonly appears in phrases such as leader of the party. To party appears in legal or formal expressions such as party to an agreement. They are not normally interchangeable.

She is a party to the contract.
He became leader of the party after the election.
Each party to the dispute must sign the form.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
party to + agreement or dispute

Showing involvement in a legal or formal matter

Use party to when someone is officially involved in an agreement, contract, or dispute.

Both companies are parties to the agreement.
She was a party to the lawsuit.
2
of the party

Showing membership or leadership

Of the party usually follows another noun such as member or leader.

He is the leader of the party.
Several members of the party voted against the plan.
3
party with + person

Social meaning of party

With can describe who you celebrate or socialise with.

We decided to party with friends after the exam.
They spent the weekend partying with colleagues.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
of party
The symbol of the party changed this year.
Used inside a larger noun phrase connected to a political or social group.
to party
Each party to the contract must agree.
A formal legal pattern showing involvement.
party to
She was not a party to the decision.
Officially involved in something.

Common mistakes

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

Using to party for social events

To party usually belongs to legal expressions, not celebrations.

✕ We went to party our neighbours. ✓ We went to a party with our neighbours.

Using of party alone

Of party usually needs another noun before it.

✕ He spoke of party yesterday. ✓ He spoke about the party yesterday.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Both firms are parties ___ the contract.
2. She became leader ___ the party.
3. We planned to party ___ friends after graduation.

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Frequently asked questions

What does party to mean?

It means officially involved in a legal agreement, dispute, or decision.

Can I say of party by itself?

Usually no. It normally appears after another noun, such as member of the party.

Is party to only legal English?

It is mainly formal or legal, though it can also describe involvement in decisions or actions.

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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