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Prepositions with nouns

Air with different prepositions

Air combines with different prepositions depending on meaning. Some combinations are fixed expressions, while others depend on the wider sentence.

Quick answer

Which prepositions are common with air?

Use in the air for something present or flying. Use by air for transport and on air for broadcasting. Of air and to air are possible in specific grammatical contexts, not as fixed expressions.

There was smoke in the air.
The package was sent by air.
The presenter went on air at noon.
The smell of air freshener filled the room.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
in the air

Describing atmosphere or position

Use in the air for things physically above ground or for feelings that seem present.

Excitement was in the air before the match.
Several drones hovered in the air above the field.
2
by air

Talking about transport

By air means using aircraft as transport.

The documents arrived by air from Tokyo.
We travelled by air because it was faster.
3
on air

Broadcasting live

On air means broadcasting on television or radio.

The host went on air at 6 p.m.
She sounded nervous on air during the interview.
4
air to + place

Broadcasting in a location

To can follow air as part of the verb air when programmes are broadcast somewhere.

The episode will air to audiences in Europe next month.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
in air
Dust particles can remain in air for hours.
Possible in technical contexts, though in the air is more common in everyday English.
by air
Fresh flowers are shipped by air.
Used for air transport.
on air
The journalist apologised on air.
Used for radio or television broadcasting.
of air
A rush of air came through the window.
Used when air is the object of another noun.
to air
The network plans to air the series in autumn.
Here air is a verb meaning broadcast.

Common mistakes

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

Using in air instead of in the air

Everyday English usually needs the article the.

✕ There was tension in air. ✓ There was tension in the air.

Confusing by air and on air

By air relates to transport; on air relates to broadcasting.

✕ The parcels were sent on air. ✓ The parcels were sent by air.

Using air to as a noun phrase

Air to is usually part of the verb air, not a noun-preposition combination.

✓ The channel will air the programme tonight.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The interview will go ___ air at 8 p.m.
2. We decided to travel ___ air.
3. There was a feeling of excitement ___ the air.

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Frequently asked questions

Is in air correct?

It can appear in scientific or technical writing, but everyday English usually prefers in the air.

What does on air mean?

It means broadcasting live on radio or television.

When do we use by air?

Use it for transport or travel using aircraft.

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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