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Prepositions with nouns

Object with prepositions

The noun object commonly appears with to and of in formal or technical meanings. Other prepositions may describe location, purpose, or context rather than a fixed combination.

Quick answer

Which prepositions go with object?

The most common fixed combinations are object to something, meaning opposition, and object of something, meaning target or focus. Object for and object in are used in specific contexts. Object with is usually an additional phrase, not a fixed noun pattern.

She became the object of criticism after the interview.
They object to the proposal because of the cost.
The device is an object for study in the lab.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
object to + noun

Showing opposition or refusal

Object to means express disagreement or opposition.

Many residents object to the plan.
2
object of + noun

Showing target or focus

Object of often means the person or thing receiving attention, emotion, or action.

He was the object of suspicion for months.
3
object for + purpose

Showing intended use

Object for can describe a purpose or function.

The museum uses the model as an object for teaching.
4
object in + place/field

Showing location or context

In usually introduces a separate context or location, not a fixed combination with object.

The small object in the corner was difficult to identify.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
object to
Several workers objected to the new schedule.
oppose or disagree with something
object of
The painting became an object of debate.
target or focus of attention
object for
This tool is an object for scientific testing.
used for a purpose
object with
The object with red markings was recovered.
with describes a feature of the object, not a fixed noun pattern

Common mistakes

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

Using object with for opposition

Use object to when you mean disagree.

✕ They object with the decision. ✓ They object to the decision.

Confusing object of and object to

The meanings are different.

✕ She was the object to criticism. ✓ She was the object of criticism.

Treating in as a fixed pattern

In usually adds location or context.

✓ We noticed an object in the water.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Many parents object ___ the policy.
2. He became the object ___ public attention.
3. The object ___ the shelf was made of glass.

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Frequently asked questions

Is object to formal English?

Yes. It is common in both formal and everyday English when expressing disagreement.

Can I say object for study?

Yes. It means something used as a subject or tool for study.

Is object with correct?

It can be correct when with adds extra information, such as object with sharp edges, but it is not a common fixed noun pattern.

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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