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Prepositions with nouns

For pleasure vs of pleasure

For pleasure is the normal expression for doing something because you enjoy it. Of pleasure appears mainly in formal or literary phrases such as a cry of pleasure.

Quick answer

Which phrase is correct?

Use for pleasure to describe an activity done for enjoyment rather than work or necessity. Use of pleasure when pleasure is the feeling or quality connected to something, often in formal descriptions.

She reads detective novels for pleasure.
The children shouted with pleasure when the concert started.
He collects stamps for pleasure, not for profit.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
for pleasure

Doing something for enjoyment

Use for pleasure after verbs of activity to show enjoyment is the purpose.

I paint for pleasure on weekends.
Many people cook for pleasure after retirement.
2
of pleasure

Describing a feeling or reaction

Use of pleasure in formal combinations where pleasure describes an emotion or quality.

She gave a sigh of pleasure.
His face showed signs of pleasure and relief.
3
with pleasure

Responding politely

With pleasure is a common polite reply when agreeing to do something.

With pleasure, I'll help you.
"Could you open the window?" "With pleasure."

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
for pleasure
They travel for pleasure every summer.
doing something because it is enjoyable
of pleasure
The audience let out a cry of pleasure.
describing a feeling of enjoyment
with pleasure
I will send the file with pleasure.
willingly or gladly
pleasure in
She takes pleasure in teaching children.
enjoyment connected to an activity

Common mistakes

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

Using of pleasure for purpose

Use for pleasure when an activity is done for enjoyment.

✕ He writes stories of pleasure. ✓ He writes stories for pleasure.

Confusing with pleasure and for pleasure

With pleasure is a polite response, not a purpose phrase.

✕ I study languages with pleasure. ✓ I study languages for pleasure.

Missing an article in formal phrases

Formal expressions with of pleasure often need a noun before the phrase.

✕ She smiled of pleasure. ✓ She smiled with pleasure.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She learns Italian ___ pleasure.
2. The children screamed ___ pleasure.
3. "Can you help me carry this?" "___ pleasure."

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Frequently asked questions

Is for pleasure more common than of pleasure?

Yes. For pleasure is the standard expression for enjoyable activities.

Can I say read for pleasure?

Yes. Read for pleasure is a very natural phrase.

Is of pleasure old-fashioned?

It is mainly formal or literary and usually appears after another noun, such as a smile of pleasure.

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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