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Prepositions with nouns

“On loan” or “of loan”

“On loan” is the standard expression for borrowed items. “Of loan” is not a normal English combination.

Quick answer

Quick answer

Use “on loan” to describe something temporarily borrowed. Do not use “of loan” in standard English.

The painting is on loan from the museum
Several books are on loan this month

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
on loan

Describing borrowed status

Use this fixed phrase for items temporarily lent or borrowed.

The sculpture is on loan until July
2
loan to + person

Showing who receives something

Use “loan to” with the verb or noun structure.

The bank approved a loan to the company
3
loan from + source

Showing origin of a loan

Use “from” for the lender or source.

a student loan from the government

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
on loan
The manuscript is on loan from a private collector.
Temporarily borrowed or lent.
of loan
This combination is not idiomatic in standard English.
Use another structure such as “loan of” or “on loan.”
loan of
They arranged a loan of equipment.
Refers to the act or arrangement of lending.

Common mistakes

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

Using “of loan” instead of “on loan”

The standard expression is “on loan.”

✕ The artwork is of loan. ✓ The artwork is on loan.

Confusing “loan of” and “on loan”

“Loan of” refers to the arrangement, while “on loan” describes status.

✕ The loan of from the museum expires soon. ✓ The artwork on loan from the museum expires soon.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The jewellery is ___ from a collector.
2. They arranged a ___ equipment for the event.
3. Which phrase is nonstandard?

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Frequently asked questions

What does “on loan” mean?

It means temporarily borrowed or lent.

Is “of loan” correct?

No. Standard English uses “on loan” or “loan of.”

Can “loan” be a verb?

Yes, especially in American English: “The bank loaned us the money.”

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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