Prepositions with nouns

Of treatment or for treatment?

For treatment is common when someone goes somewhere or receives care. Of treatment usually appears in longer phrases where treatment is the subject.

Quick answer

Which preposition is correct with treatment?

Use for treatment when referring to the purpose of a visit or action: go to hospital for treatment. Use of treatment in noun phrases such as the cost of treatment or methods of treatment. The phrase of treatment is not usually used alone.

He was admitted for treatment after the accident.
She travelled abroad for treatment last year.
The cost of treatment can be very high.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
for treatment

Purpose of medical care

Use for treatment when someone receives or seeks medical care.

The patient returned for treatment on Monday.
She visited the clinic for treatment of her injury.
2
course of treatment

Medical plan or process

A course of treatment means a planned series of medical actions.

The doctor recommended a course of treatment lasting six weeks.
They discussed the best course of treatment for the disease.
3
treatment for + condition

Condition being treated

Use for after treatment to name the illness or problem.

There is effective treatment for asthma today.
Researchers are testing a new treatment for migraines.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
for treatment
She went abroad for treatment.
for the purpose of receiving medical care
of treatment
The cost of treatment is covered by insurance.
treatment as the topic or object of discussion
treatment for
Doctors found a treatment for the infection.
medical care aimed at a condition
under treatment
He is still under treatment.
currently receiving medical care

Common mistakes

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

Using of treatment for purpose

Use for treatment when someone receives care.

✕ He came of treatment. ✓ He came for treatment.

Using treatment for with a person

Treatment for usually introduces a condition, not a patient.

✕ The doctor provided treatment for the patient. ✓ The doctor provided treatment to the patient.

Using of treatment alone

Of treatment normally appears inside a longer noun phrase.

✕ We discussed of treatment. ✓ We discussed treatment options.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She travelled to Germany ___ treatment.
2. The cost ___ treatment has increased.
3. Scientists are studying a treatment ___ diabetes.

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Frequently asked questions

Is for treatment the usual expression?

Yes. It is standard when someone seeks or receives medical care.

Can of treatment be correct?

Yes, in longer noun phrases such as methods of treatment or side effects of treatment.

Do we say treatment for or treatment of a disease?

Both are possible. Treatment for a disease means care aimed at it, while treatment of a disease is more formal and focuses on the process itself.

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