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Prepositions with nouns

How to use prepositions with mission

Mission is most commonly used with to, on, and for. The correct preposition depends on purpose, destination, or activity.

Quick answer

Common combinations with mission

Use mission to for purpose, mission on for a task or journey, and mission for a specific goal. Mission in appears in wider phrases such as mission in life. Mission of is common when defining an organisation's purpose.

Her mission to improve access to education continued.
The astronauts went on a mission to Mars.
The charity was founded for a mission of public service.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
mission to + goal/place

Expressing purpose or destination

Mission to often describes a purpose or a destination.

The team began a mission to reduce waste.
2
on a mission

Describing active involvement in a task

Use on a mission for someone carrying out an important task.

She is on a mission to help local families.
3
mission for + purpose

Showing intended aim

Mission for introduces the aim or role of a mission.

They created a mission for environmental protection.
4
mission in + field

Talking about work within an area

Mission in appears with areas of work or life.

He found his mission in teaching.
5
mission of + organisation

Defining purpose

Mission of explains the role or objective of a group.

The mission of the agency is public safety.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
mission to
Their mission to improve healthcare gained support.
purpose or intended result
on a mission
The reporter is on a mission to uncover the truth.
actively engaged in a task
mission for
The campaign has a mission for social change.
intended aim
mission in
She discovered her mission in life.
role or purpose within an area
mission of
The mission of the museum is education.
defining the purpose of something

Common mistakes

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

Using mission on as a direct noun phrase

Mission on is uncommon outside longer structures like a mission on climate policy.

✕ their mission on succeed ✓ their mission to succeed

Confusing on a mission with mission to

On a mission describes action; mission to introduces purpose.

✕ She is mission to help ✓ She is on a mission to help

Missing the article before mission

Mission is often countable.

✕ He went on mission ✓ He went on a mission

Using mission for with verbs

Mission for is followed by a noun phrase, not directly by a verb.

✕ a mission for protect wildlife ✓ a mission to protect wildlife

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The company launched a mission ___ reduce emissions.
2. She is ___ a mission to improve literacy.
3. The ___ the organisation is public service.

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Frequently asked questions

Is mission to correct?

Yes. It commonly introduces a goal or intended action.

Can I say on a mission?

Yes. It means actively trying to achieve something important.

What does mission in life mean?

It refers to a person's sense of purpose or calling.

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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