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Prepositions with nouns

Of profit vs. for profit

For profit is a common fixed expression for commercial activity. Of profit is rare and usually belongs to a larger phrase.

Quick answer

Which expression is correct?

Use for profit to describe a business activity intended to make money. Of profit is uncommon alone and usually appears after another noun.

The organisation operates for profit.
The possibility of profit attracted investors.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
for profit

Describing commercial purpose

A standard fixed phrase in business English.

They run the company for profit rather than charity.
2
of profit

Part of a larger noun phrase

Of profit usually follows nouns such as chance, source, or expectation.

The promise of profit encouraged expansion.
3
profit from + activity

Showing the source of earnings

Use from to identify where money comes from.

They profit from online sales.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
for profit
It is a for-profit company.
intended to earn money
of profit
The expectation of profit influenced decisions.
part of a larger phrase
profit from
She profits from investments.
earn money from something

Common mistakes

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

Using of profit as a stand-alone expression

This usually sounds incomplete.

✕ The business is of profit. ✓ The business is for profit.

Confusing profit and profitable

Profit is a noun or verb; profitable is an adjective.

✓ a profitable business

Hyphenation in adjectives

Use a hyphen before a noun.

✓ a for-profit organisation

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The company operates ___ profit.
2. The expectation ___ profit increased investment.
3. They profit ___ advertising revenue.

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Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

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Frequently asked questions

What does for profit mean?

It means intended to earn money commercially.

Is of profit common?

Only inside larger phrases such as expectation of profit.

How do I use for-profit before a noun?

Use a hyphen, as in a for-profit business.

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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