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Prepositions before nouns

Which prepositions are used with “license”?

License is the American English noun spelling. Different prepositions express permission, legal authority, or purpose.

Quick answer

Common prepositions with “license”

Under license is common for authorised production or use. License for + activity describes purpose. In license is rare. “Pre” is not a standard English preposition used with license.

The game is published under license
He applied for a license for construction work
She finally got her license to operate the equipment

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
under license

Authorised production or use

Use under license when something is done with legal permission from the rights holder.

The shirts are manufactured under license
2
license for + activity

Permission for a purpose

Use for to show the activity or field covered by the license.

They need a license for online gambling
3
license to + verb

Permission to perform an action

Use license to followed by a verb to describe authorised action.

She has a license to sell firearms
4
license of + type

Formal description

Of appears in formal classifications or descriptions.

The document grants a license of limited scope

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
under license
The software is distributed under license.
Legally authorised by another party.
license for
He requested a license for commercial fishing.
Permission related to an activity.
in license
This phrase is uncommon in general English.
Rare outside specialised legal language.
Pre license
Pre-license training is required in some states.
Pre is a prefix meaning before, not a standard preposition with license.
license of
The contract describes a license of limited duration.
Formal description or category.

Common mistakes

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

Treating “pre” as a normal preposition

Pre usually functions as a prefix in words such as pre-license.

✕ under pre license ✓ pre-license course

Using “license for do something”

Use license to + verb for actions.

✕ a license for sell alcohol ✓ a license to sell alcohol

Using “in license” in ordinary contexts

This phrase is uncommon in everyday English.

✕ The business works in license. ✓ The business operates under license.

Mixing British and American spelling

License is the American noun spelling.

✕ driving licence ✓ driver's license

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The toys are produced ___ license.
2. She applied for a license ___ operate a drone.
3. They need a license ___ food sales.

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Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between licence and license?

In American English, both noun and verb are usually spelled “license.” In British English, the noun is “licence” and the verb is “license.”

Is “under license” formal?

It is common in legal, business, and commercial contexts.

Can “pre” be used as a preposition with license?

Not normally. Pre is usually a prefix, as in “pre-license training.”

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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