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Prepositions before nouns

“Of spending” or “in spending”?

Both combinations are possible, but they appear in different grammatical patterns and have different meanings.

Quick answer

How to use “of spending” and “in spending”

Of spending commonly follows another noun, adjective, or verb, as in habit of spending. In spending refers to the activity itself, often after words like difficulty, interest, or time.

his habit of spending too much
She is careful in spending money
There is no point in spending more

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
noun + of spending

Linking a noun to the activity

Use of spending after nouns such as habit, idea, or cost.

the risk of spending beyond your budget
2
adjective + in spending

Describing behaviour during the activity

Use in spending after adjectives describing care or skill.

He is disciplined in spending money
3
point/value in spending

Evaluating whether the activity is useful

Use in spending after expressions about usefulness or purpose.

There is little value in spending hours on it

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
of spending
The danger of spending impulsively is real.
Connects the activity to another noun or idea.
in spending
She showed restraint in spending company funds.
Describes behaviour during the activity.
point in spending
There is no point in spending more.
A very common fixed pattern with in.

Common mistakes

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

Using “of spending” after “point”

The fixed expression is point in doing something.

✕ There is no point of spending more. ✓ There is no point in spending more.

Using “in spending” after “habit”

Habit normally takes of + gerund.

✕ his habit in spending money ✓ his habit of spending money

Confusing purpose and behaviour

Of links to a noun; in often describes conduct during the activity.

✓ care in spending money

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. There is no point ___ more on repairs.
2. The habit ___ late-night shopping became expensive.
3. She is careful ___ company money.

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Frequently asked questions

Is “of spending” correct?

Yes. It commonly follows nouns such as habit, cost, danger, or idea.

When do we use “in spending”?

Use it when talking about behaviour or usefulness during the activity of spending.

Can both forms appear in the same sentence?

Yes. For example: The risk of spending too much lies in spending without planning.

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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