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Prepositions with nouns

How to use prepositions with 'strategy'

Strategy is commonly followed by for or on. Other prepositions usually have different grammatical roles.

Quick answer

Common patterns with 'strategy'

The most common combinations are strategy for + goal and strategy on + topic. With, in, and of are less direct and often belong to other sentence structures.

We need a strategy for growth next year.
The team discussed a strategy on climate policy.
She works with a strategy focused on prevention.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
strategy for + goal

Showing the aim or purpose

For introduces the objective the strategy is designed to achieve.

They developed a strategy for expansion into Asia.
The company needs a strategy for long-term success.
2
strategy on + topic

Discussing a subject area

On introduces the subject of a plan, report, or discussion.

The minister presented a strategy on public health.
We attended a meeting about the new strategy on cybersecurity.
3
strategy in + field

Referring to a field or activity

In often refers to the area where strategic thinking is used.

Innovation is important in strategy in marketing courses.
She specialises in strategy in business development.
4
strategy with + feature

Adding a characteristic

With introduces a feature or method connected to the strategy.

They adopted a strategy with clear targets.
The campaign used a strategy with multiple stages.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
strategy for
a strategy for reducing costs
shows the goal or purpose
strategy on
a strategy on energy policy
shows the subject under discussion
strategy with
a strategy with flexible deadlines
adds a feature or characteristic
strategy in
strategy in finance
refers to a field or context
strategy of
a strategy of delay
describes a method or approach in a more formal style

Common mistakes

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

Using 'on' for goals

Use for to express the objective.

✕ a strategy on growth ✓ a strategy for growth

Confusing topic and purpose

On usually introduces a subject area, not an intended result.

✕ a strategy on reducing costs ✓ a strategy for reducing costs

Overusing 'with'

With adds details but does not usually express the main purpose.

✕ a strategy with expansion ✓ a strategy for expansion

Avoiding formal 'strategy of'

Strategy of can work in formal contexts when naming a method.

✕ The article described a strategy of containment as incorrect. ✓ The article described a strategy of containment.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The company announced a strategy ___ digital growth.
2. The report outlines a strategy ___ transport policy.
3. They created a strategy ___ clear performance targets.

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Frequently asked questions

Is 'strategy for' the most common pattern?

Yes. It is the usual way to express the purpose or target of a strategy.

Can I say 'strategy on'?

Yes. It is common in government, academic, and business contexts when discussing a topic.

Is 'strategy of' correct?

Yes, especially in formal writing to describe a method, such as 'a strategy of avoidance.'

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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