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Prepositions with nouns

Using prepositions with “violence”

Different prepositions with violence express targets, location, topics, or media.

Quick answer

Which prepositions are common with “violence”?

Violence against someone is the most common pattern for targets. Violence in refers to location or context. Violence on is used for media platforms such as television. Violence to and violence for are uncommon and usually not idiomatic with this meaning.

The campaign fights violence against women.
There has been an increase in violence in schools.
Parents worry about violence on television.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
violence against + person/group

Naming the target of harmful acts

Against is the standard preposition for victims or targets.

The report focuses on violence against children.
2
violence in + place/context

Talking about where violence happens

Use in for places, societies, games, or situations.

Researchers studied violence in prisons.
3
violence on + media/platform

Talking about media content

Use on with television, screens, or online platforms.

Some viewers dislike violence on social media.
4
act of violence

Referring to a violent event

Of often appears in the phrase act of violence.

The attack was described as an act of violence.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
violence of
The violence of the storm shocked residents.
Of can show a quality or source, not a target.
violence to
Unnatural: violence to civilians
Standard English uses violence against civilians.
violence for
Unnatural: support for violence
For usually belongs to another noun such as support, not violence itself.
violence in
Violence in the city has decreased.
Refers to location or context.
violence on
Violence on television is heavily debated.
Refers to media or surfaces.

Common mistakes

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

Using “to” instead of “against”

Against is the usual choice for victims or targets.

✕ violence to women ✓ violence against women

Using “for violence” after violence

For does not normally follow violence directly.

✕ violence for children ✓ violence against children

Confusing media and location

On is common for television and online platforms; in is common for places.

✕ violence in television ✓ violence on television

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The charity campaigns against violence ___ women.
2. There has been more violence ___ the region recently.
3. Some parents limit violence ___ TV shows.

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Frequently asked questions

Is “violence to people” correct?

Violence against people is the standard expression.

Can “of violence” be correct?

Yes, in phrases such as act of violence or the violence of the storm.

When do we use “violence on”?

Use it for media or platforms, such as violence on television or online.

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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