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Prepositions with nouns

'Of strength' vs. 'to strength'

English does not normally use of strength or to strength as fixed expressions. The common idiom is from strength to strength.

Quick answer

Which expression is correct?

Neither of strength nor to strength is usually idiomatic alone. The established phrase is from strength to strength, meaning continuous improvement or success.

The business went from strength to strength after the merger.
Her career has grown from strength to strength in recent years.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
from strength to strength

Describing continuous improvement

This idiom means becoming more successful, effective, or confident over time.

The team has gone from strength to strength this season.
Their partnership moved from strength to strength after the launch.
2
strength of + noun

Showing the source of power

Strength of introduces the thing that provides power or advantage.

The decision was made on the strength of the evidence.
They succeeded because of the strength of their network.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
of strength
the strength of the material
of belongs to the noun phrase 'strength of,' not a fixed expression
to strength
from strength to strength
to appears inside the full idiom only
from strength to strength
The company went from strength to strength.
became steadily more successful
with strength
She pushed with great strength.
describes manner or force

Common mistakes

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

Using 'to strength' alone

English does not normally use to strength as an independent expression.

✕ The project moved to strength. ✓ The project went from strength to strength.

Treating 'of strength' as a set phrase

Of usually follows the noun strength, not the other way around.

✕ The argument was of strength. ✓ The argument showed great strength.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. After the investment, the company went from strength ___ strength.
2. They won on the strength ___ strong local support.
3. Her confidence has grown from strength to ___.

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Frequently asked questions

What does 'from strength to strength' mean?

It means improving steadily or becoming increasingly successful.

Is 'to strength' correct by itself?

No. It is normally only part of the idiom 'from strength to strength.'

Can I use 'strength of'?

Yes. It is a common and natural pattern, as in 'the strength of the team.'

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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