Sign In Get Started
Prepositions with nouns

Prepositions used with “winner”

“Winner of” is the most common pattern for prizes and competitions. Other prepositions depend on the wider sentence.

Quick answer

Common combinations

Use “winner of” for a competition, award, or prize. “Winner for” and “winner like” are not standard fixed combinations. “To winner” is incorrect before the noun. “Behind winner” can work as a separate place or ranking phrase.

She was the winner of the race.
They stood behind the winner during the ceremony.
He became the winner of three awards in one year.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
winner of + competition

Naming what someone won

Use “of” to connect the winner with a contest, prize, or award.

The winner of the scholarship thanked the judges.
She is the winner of this year's tournament.
2
winner in + category

Giving a field or category

Use “in” for a category, area, or event.

He was the winner in the science category.
They announced the winner in each division.
3
behind + winner

Position relative to the winner

“Behind” is not selected by “winner”. It functions as a separate phrase showing position or ranking.

She finished behind the winner by two seconds.
The crowd gathered behind the winner for photos.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
winner of
The winner of the contest received a medal.
person who won something
to winner
“To winner” is not a standard English construction.
incorrect before the noun
behind winner
The cyclist came in just behind the winner.
position relative to the winner, not a fixed phrase
winner for
They chose her as the winner for best design.
possible when “for” introduces a category, but not a fixed “winner for” pattern
winner like
A winner like Maria inspires young athletes.
“Like” introduces comparison, not a fixed noun pattern

Common mistakes

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

Using “to winner” before a noun

English does not use “to winner” as a noun phrase.

✕ the award went to winner ✓ the award went to the winner

Using “winner for” without a category

“Winner for” needs an added reason or category.

✕ She is the winner for. ✓ She is the winner of the competition.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. He was the winner ___ the national final.
2. She finished just ___ the winner.
3. Which option is not a standard noun construction?

Check your sentence in context

Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

Free to try · No signup required

Frequently asked questions

Is “winner of” always correct?

It is the standard pattern when naming a competition, prize, or award.

Can “behind winner” be correct?

Yes. “Behind” can describe position or ranking, as in “behind the winner”.

Do we use “winner for”?

Only in wider structures such as “winner for best actor”. The main fixed pattern is still “winner of”.

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"?

Write with confidence in Linguix

Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.

Create a free account