Prepositions with nouns

Of tourist or for tourist?

For tourist is usually incomplete in standard English because tourist is countable and normally needs an article or plural form. Of tourists and for tourists have different meanings and grammar.

Quick answer

Which phrase should you use?

Use for tourists to show purpose or intended users. Use of tourists to describe something belonging to or involving tourists. Singular tourist usually needs an article, such as for a tourist.

The map was designed for tourists.
The survey collected opinions of tourists visiting the city.
This ticket is ideal for a tourist travelling alone.
The behaviour of tourists concerned local residents.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

for tourists

Showing purpose or intended users

Use for tourists when something is intended to help or attract tourists.

The city created a new guide for tourists.

of tourists

Showing possession or involvement

Use of tourists when tourists are the people involved or described.

The arrival of tourists boosted local business.

for a tourist

Referring to one tourist

Use an article before singular tourist in most contexts.

The museum pass is useful for a tourist staying for a week.

See the difference in context

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

Construction

Example

Meaning

for tourists

These buses are convenient for tourists.

intended to help or serve tourists

of tourists

The number of tourists increased sharply.

tourists are the group being described

for tourist

For tourist without an article is usually incomplete in standard English.

normally needs a plural or article

of tourist

Of tourist is generally not used in standard English.

normally replaced by of tourists or of a tourist

Common mistakes

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

Using tourist without an article

Singular tourist usually needs a, the, or another determiner.

✕ This app is useful for tourist. ✓ This app is useful for a tourist.

Using of tourist instead of of tourists

Use the plural form for general groups.

✕ The arrival of tourist increased traffic. ✓ The arrival of tourists increased traffic.

Confusing for tourists with of tourists

For tourists shows purpose, while of tourists identifies the people involved.

✕ The opinions for tourists were recorded. ✓ The opinions of tourists were recorded.

Using for tourists for possession

Use of tourists when describing something belonging to tourists.

✕ The luggage for tourists filled the hall. ✓ The luggage of tourists filled the hall.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The brochure was written ___ tourists.

2. The number ___ tourists rose this summer.

3. This guide is useful for ___ tourist visiting London.

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Frequently asked questions

Is for tourist correct?

Usually no. Use for a tourist or for tourists.

What is the difference between for tourists and of tourists?

For tourists shows purpose or intended users, while of tourists identifies tourists as the group involved.

Can tourist be singular without an article?

In most standard contexts, singular tourist needs an article or another determiner.

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