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Prepositions with nouns

Using 'value' with prepositions

'Of value' and 'in value' are both possible in English, but they have different meanings and grammar.

Quick answer

Different meanings

'Of value' means useful or important. 'In value' refers to amount, price, or numerical worth, often after changes such as increase or decrease.

Your feedback is of value to the team.
The property increased in value last year.
These documents are of value for research.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
of value + to someone

Useful or important

Use 'of value' to describe something beneficial or worthwhile.

Her advice was of value to new employees.
The data may be of value in future studies.
2
increase in value

Change in worth

Use 'in value' after verbs or nouns about rising or falling worth.

The shares rose in value after the announcement.
A sudden drop in value worried investors.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
of value
The report is of value to teachers.
useful, important, worthwhile
in value
The painting increased in value.
describes change in monetary or measurable worth
value of
We discussed the value of experience.
states the worth or importance of something
value in
I see value in regular exercise.
recognize benefit in something

Common mistakes

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

Using 'in value' to mean useful

'In value' normally relates to price or worth, not usefulness.

✕ Her comments were in value. ✓ Her comments were of value.

Using 'of value' after increase or decrease

Changes in worth use 'in value'.

✕ The car increased of value. ✓ The car increased in value.

Confusing adjective patterns

You can also use 'valuable' instead of 'of value'.

✓ The information is valuable.

Leaving out the listener or context

'Of value' is often followed by 'to' plus a person or group.

✓ The workshop was of value to managers.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The old coins increased ___ value over time.
2. Her experience is ___ value to the company.
3. We discussed the value ___ teamwork.

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Frequently asked questions

What does 'of value' mean?

It means useful, important, or worthwhile.

When do we use 'in value'?

Use it when talking about increases, decreases, or differences in worth or price.

Can both expressions be correct?

Yes, but they express different ideas and are not interchangeable.

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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