Sign In Get Started
Preposition before noun

Discrimination with prepositions

Discrimination commonly takes against to identify the target. Other prepositions have different meanings.

Quick answer

Which prepositions are used with discrimination?

Discrimination against is the standard phrase for unfair treatment toward a group. Discrimination about and discrimination from are uncommon. Without discrimination means fairly or without bias.

discrimination against older workers
hiring decisions made without discrimination
laws related to discrimination in housing

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
discrimination against + group

Showing the target of unfair treatment

Against is the normal preposition after discrimination.

discrimination against immigrants
2
discrimination in + area

Naming the area where discrimination happens

Use in for workplaces, housing, education, and similar contexts.

discrimination in hiring
3
without discrimination

Showing fairness or equal treatment

This phrase means without bias or unequal treatment.

aid was distributed without discrimination

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
discrimination against
The law prohibits discrimination against women.
standard expression for unfair treatment
to discrimination
The policy relates to discrimination in schools.
to belongs to relates, not discrimination itself
from discrimination
Employees should be protected from discrimination.
from depends on protected, not discrimination
about discrimination
We had a discussion about discrimination.
about belongs to discussion
without discrimination
Services were offered without discrimination.
fairly and equally

Common mistakes

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

Using discrimination of for the affected group

English normally uses against, not of.

✕ discrimination of minorities ✓ discrimination against minorities

Using discrimination to alone

To usually depends on another word such as response or approach.

✕ discrimination to older staff ✓ discrimination against older staff

Confusing without discrimination

This phrase has a positive meaning of equal treatment.

✕ The rule allowed discrimination without employees. ✓ The rule applied without discrimination.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The company was accused of discrimination ___ disabled applicants.
2. Aid was provided ___ discrimination.
3. We attended a seminar about discrimination ___ education.

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

What is the standard preposition after discrimination?

Against is the normal choice for the affected group.

Can discrimination be followed by about?

Usually about belongs to another noun such as discussion or debate.

What does without discrimination mean?

It means equally and without unfair bias.

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