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Prepositions with nouns

Of structure or to structure?

Of structure and to structure are not direct alternatives. Of structure appears in noun phrases, while to structure usually follows a verb or adjective.

Quick answer

Different grammar patterns

Use of structure after another noun, as in the structure of the report. Use to structure mainly with verbs such as help or try, followed by the verb structure.

the structure of the essay
The guide helps students to structure their arguments.
We discussed the structure of the course.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
structure of + noun

Showing organisation or arrangement

Use structure of to describe how something is organised.

the structure of the book
She explained the structure of the company.
2
to structure + object

Using structure as a verb

To structure is the infinitive form of the verb structure.

We need to structure the report clearly.
The course teaches managers to structure meetings effectively.
3
changes to the structure

Using to with the noun structure

To can follow structure when to introduces a separate relationship, not as a fixed pair.

They proposed changes to the structure of the exam.
The update brought improvements to the structure of the database.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
structure of
The structure of the article is clear.
Noun phrase showing organisation.
to structure
She learned to structure her presentation.
Infinitive verb form.
changes to the structure
The committee approved changes to the structure.
To introduces the target of the changes.

Common mistakes

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

Treating to structure as a noun phrase

To structure is usually verbal, not a replacement for structure of.

✕ We discussed to structure of the plan. ✓ We discussed the structure of the plan.

Missing the article before structure

Structure often needs an article in singular countable use.

✕ We changed structure of course. ✓ We changed the structure of the course.

Confusing noun and verb forms

Use structure as a noun after the, and as a verb after to.

✓ The structure is simple, but it is hard to structure the data.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The ___ of the essay is easy to follow.
2. She learned ___ her ideas clearly.
3. We discussed changes ___ the structure.

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Frequently asked questions

Is to structure correct English?

Yes, when structure is used as a verb: to structure a report, to structure data.

When do I use structure of?

Use it to describe organisation or arrangement, such as the structure of a book.

Can to come before the noun structure?

Yes, in phrases like changes to the structure, where to has its normal prepositional meaning.

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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