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Prepositions with nouns

Metal with different prepositions

Metal combines with several prepositions depending on material, purpose, or location.

Quick answer

Natural combinations

Use of metal to describe material, with metal for covering or inclusion, and in metal for artistic or manufacturing contexts. To metal is uncommon except with verbs. For metal usually expresses purpose.

The gate is made of metal.
The case is reinforced with metal corners.
The design was cast in metal.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
made of metal

Describing material

Use of to identify what something consists of.

The sculpture is made of metal and glass.
2
covered with metal

Showing an added material

Use with when metal is attached or added.

The door was lined with metal sheets.
3
cast in metal

Describing artistic medium

Use in for forms created using a material.

The figure was cast in metal.
4
for metal cutting

Expressing purpose

Use for when something is intended for work involving metal.

This blade is designed for metal cutting.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
of metal
The frame is of metal construction.
material or composition
with metal
The boots are reinforced with metal.
including or covered by metal
in metal
The artist works in metal.
using metal as a medium
to metal
They added carbon to metal alloys.
to is linked to the verb, not selected by metal
for metal
This cleaner is safe for metal surfaces.
intended for use with metal

Common mistakes

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

Using to metal as a noun pattern

Metal does not normally take to directly as a fixed noun phrase.

✕ a tool to metal ✓ a tool for metal cutting

Confusing of and with

Made of describes material; with describes an added part.

✕ The ring is made with metal. ✓ The ring is made of metal.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The bridge is made ___ metal.
2. The shield was covered ___ metal plates.
3. The sculptor works ___ metal.

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Frequently asked questions

Is made of metal correct?

Yes. It is the standard way to describe material.

When do we use with metal?

Use it when metal is added or attached to something.

Can metal be used with to?

Usually only when to belongs to the verb, not as a fixed pattern with the noun metal.

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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