right to + action/noun
Expressing entitlement or permission
Use right to for legal, moral, or personal entitlements.
Citizens have the right to vote
How to use “right” with prepositions
The noun right commonly takes to when talking about entitlement or permission. Of right appears in formal expressions such as “by right of.”
Quick answer
Which is correct: “of right” or “to right”?
To right is the standard pattern when right means entitlement: “the right to vote.” Of right is uncommon by itself but appears in formal phrases such as “by right of birth.”
Everyone has the right to privacy.
She claimed the title by right of birth.
Workers have the right to strike.
She claimed the title by right of birth.
Workers have the right to strike.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
right of + person/group
Showing possession of a right
Right of is used in formal legal or institutional language.
The right of appeal is protected by law.
by right of + noun
Giving the basis for a claim
This formal expression explains why someone deserves a position or privilege.
He inherited the land by right of inheritance
right over + property/person
Describing authority or control
Use over to describe power or control.
Parents do not have unlimited rights over their children
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
of right
The phrase “of right” is rare in modern English.
not a common standalone pattern
to right
Everyone has a right to fair treatment.
standard pattern for entitlement
right of
The right of appeal remains available.
formal expression naming a specific legal right
by right of
She became queen by right of birth.
because of status or qualification
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using “of right” for entitlement
Use right to when talking about permission or entitlement.
✕ They have the right of speak freely. ✓ They have the right to speak freely.Confusing “right of” and “right to”
Right of usually names a type of right. Right to is followed by an action or object.
✕ She has the right of vote. ✓ She has the right to vote.Using “to right” as an infinitive by mistake
To right can also be a verb phrase meaning correct something, but that is unrelated to the noun right.
✕ He fought for the to right education. ✓ He fought for the right to education.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. Everyone deserves the right ___ safety.
2. The right ___ appeal is written into the contract.
3. She inherited the title by right ___ birth.
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Frequently asked questions
Is “right to” the most common pattern?
Yes. It is the normal structure for rights and entitlements.
When is “right of” used?
Mostly in formal legal or institutional expressions such as “right of entry” or “right of appeal.”
Can “to right” be correct English?
Yes, as a verb phrase meaning “to correct,” but not as the normal noun pattern with right.
Related preposition guides
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