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Prepositions with presence

Of presence or in presence?

In presence alone is not standard in modern English. Use in the presence of for being near someone. Of presence appears after another noun.

Quick answer

What is the correct expression?

Use in the presence of to mean near or before someone. Of presence is used after another noun, such as sense of presence. In presence without the article is uncommon in current English.

The children were quiet in the presence of their teacher.
She felt a strong sense of presence in the room.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
in the presence of + person

Meaning: near or before someone

This is the standard modern expression.

He spoke carefully in the presence of the judge.
2
sense of presence

Meaning: feeling that someone or something is there

Of presence follows nouns such as sense or awareness.

The music created a strong sense of presence.
3
presence at + event

Meaning: attendance

Presence often takes at for events.

Her presence at the meeting was important.
4
presence of mind

Meaning: calm thinking in difficulty

This is a fixed idiomatic phrase.

He had the presence of mind to call for help.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
in the presence of
They whispered in the presence of the guests.
near or before someone
in presence
In presence is rare in modern English.
generally considered nonstandard without the article
of presence
The artist gives a sense of presence.
part of a larger noun phrase
presence at
His presence at court was required.
attendance somewhere

Common mistakes

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

Omitting the article

Modern English normally uses the full phrase in the presence of.

✕ She laughed in presence of the manager. ✓ She laughed in the presence of the manager.

Using of presence alone

Of presence usually follows another noun.

✕ They noticed of presence immediately. ✓ They noticed a sense of presence immediately.

Confusing presence and present

Presence is a noun; present can be an adjective or verb.

✕ Her present at the meeting mattered. ✓ Her presence at the meeting mattered.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The witness spoke ___ the police officer.
2. The film creates a sense ___ danger.
3. His ___ at the conference was unexpected.

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Frequently asked questions

Is in presence correct English?

It is uncommon and generally considered nonstandard in modern English without the article the.

What does in the presence of mean?

It means near someone or before someone important.

Can of presence be used alone?

Usually no. It normally follows another noun such as sense or awareness.

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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