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Prepositions with nouns

Of promise or with promise?

With promise is the usual expression when something shows potential. Of promise appears mainly in formal phrases such as a student of promise.

Quick answer

Which form is more natural?

Use with promise to describe something that shows potential for success. Of promise is rare and formal, usually after a noun referring to a person with ability or future importance.

The young player is with promise.
She is a writer of promise.
The research results are with promise.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
with promise

Describing strong future potential

Use with promise for things or people that seem likely to succeed.

The startup is with promise.
It was a technology with promise.
2
person of promise

Formal descriptions of talented people

Of promise is a formal literary expression used mainly with nouns referring to people.

She was considered a scientist of promise.
The school supports students of promise.
3
show promise

Talking about visible potential

Show promise is often more natural than with promise in everyday English.

The new treatment shows promise in early trials.
His first novel showed promise.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
with promise
The project is with promise.
Showing likely success or good potential.
of promise
She is a musician of promise.
Formal expression for a talented person with future potential.
show promise
The candidate shows promise.
A common modern way to express potential.

Common mistakes

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

Using of promise for ordinary objects

Of promise sounds very formal and is uncommon for things.

✕ The software is of promise. ✓ The software shows promise.

Using with promise after every noun

With promise works best when describing potential, not ownership or guarantees.

✕ He signed a contract with promise. ✓ He signed a promising contract.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The young actor shows ___.
2. She is a researcher ___ promise.
3. The new method is ___ promise.

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Frequently asked questions

Is with promise common in modern English?

It is understandable but less common than show promise.

Can of promise describe things?

It is rare. It is mainly used for people in formal style.

What is the safest everyday expression?

Show promise is the most natural choice in most contexts.

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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