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Prepositions before nouns

Should you use “of weapon” or “with weapon”?

“With a weapon” is the standard phrase for possession or use. “Of weapon” is generally not idiomatic English except inside larger noun phrases such as “type of weapon.”

Quick answer

Correct use of “weapon” with prepositions

Use “with a weapon” when someone carries or uses a weapon. Do not use “of weapon” alone. English normally uses “weapon of” or “type of weapon” instead.

The guard stood with a weapon at the entrance.
This is a dangerous type of weapon.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
with a weapon

Showing possession or use

Use “with” when someone has or uses a weapon.

The suspect was seen with a weapon near the station.
The character fought with a weapon made of steel.
2
weapon of + type/purpose

Describing category or function

Use “weapon of” in larger noun phrases.

The treaty banned any weapon of mass destruction.
Historians studied the weapon of war used in the region.
3
type of weapon

Identifying a category

Use “type of weapon” to classify weapons.

Police identified the type of weapon involved.
The museum displayed every type of weapon from the period.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
of weapon
not standard as an independent phrase
English does not normally use “of weapon” alone.
with weapon
The officer approached with a weapon.
Possession or accompaniment; usually with an article.
weapon of
a weapon of defence
Function or category of weapon.
type of weapon
a type of weapon used in hunting
Classification or description.

Common mistakes

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

Using “of weapon” by itself

English usually places “weapon” before “of,” not after it.

✕ The report spoke of weapon. ✓ The report spoke of a weapon.

Leaving out the article after “with”

Countable singular nouns usually need an article.

✕ The man arrived with weapon. ✓ The man arrived with a weapon.

Confusing “weapon of” and “of weapon”

The normal order is “weapon of.”

✕ an of weapon system ✓ a weapon system

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The soldier entered ___ hidden under his coat.
2. They discussed the ___ used in the attack.
3. The treaty banned any ___ mass destruction.

Check your sentence in context

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

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Frequently asked questions

Is “with weapon” correct?

Usually English prefers “with a weapon” because “weapon” is a countable noun.

Can I say “of weapon”?

Not normally as an independent phrase. Use “weapon of” or another complete structure.

What does “weapon of mass destruction” mean grammatically?

It is a noun phrase where “of” introduces the type or function of the weapon.

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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