Prepositions with nouns

Of writer or for writer?

Writer does not normally take of or for directly. Use of with a larger noun phrase such as work of a writer, and use for to show purpose or audience, as in advice for writers.

Quick answer

How to use writer with of and for

English usually does not use of writer or for writer as complete phrases. Of often belongs to another noun, such as the style of a writer. For commonly introduces a purpose or audience, such as software for writers.

She studied the novels of a writer from Brazil.
The workshop was designed for writers who work in film.
Critics discussed the influence of the writer on modern theatre.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
work of a writer

Showing ownership or association

Use of after another noun to connect that noun with a writer.

We admired the essays of a writer from Kenya.
The archive contains letters of the writer and his family.
2
for writers

Showing audience or purpose

Use for writers when something is intended to help, teach, or support writers.

The company created editing tools for writers.
She teaches a weekend course for writers of historical fiction.
3
writer of + work

Naming what someone wrote

Writer can itself take of when you mention a book, article, or similar work.

She is the writer of the report.
He became known as the writer of several detective novels.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
of writer
the biography of a writer
Natural only when of belongs to another noun phrase such as biography of a writer.
for writer
software for writers
Natural when for introduces the intended users or purpose.
writer of
the writer of the article
Standard pattern meaning the person who wrote something.
writer for
a writer for a travel magazine
Standard pattern meaning someone employed by or contributing to an organisation.

Common mistakes

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

Using of writer as a complete phrase

Writer does not normally follow of by itself. Add a larger noun phrase or article.

✕ This shelf is of writer. ✓ This shelf contains books by a writer.

Using for writer instead of for writers

The plural form is more natural when talking about users or audiences in general.

✕ This guide is for writer. ✓ This guide is for writers.

Confusing writer of with writer for

Writer of names a work; writer for names an employer or publication.

✕ She is a writer of the newspaper. ✓ She is a writer for the newspaper.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The seminar was organised ___ writers.
2. He is the writer ___ the award-winning play.
3. We read the memoirs of a famous ___.

Check your sentence in context

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

Free to try · No signup required

Frequently asked questions

Is of writer correct in English?

Usually no as a standalone phrase. It is natural only inside a larger structure such as books of a writer.

When do we use for writers?

Use it for tools, courses, advice, or services intended for writers.

What is the difference between writer of and writer for?

Writer of identifies a work someone created, while writer for identifies an organisation, publication, or audience.

Write with confidence in Linguix

Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.

Create a free account