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Prepositions and expressions

“On offer”, “of offer” or “to offer”?

On offer is a common expression meaning available or being sold. To offer is an infinitive verb form. Of offer is not a standard general combination.

Quick answer

How are these forms used?

Use on offer to mean available for sale or available to use. Use to offer as part of the verb offer: They plan to offer discounts. The phrase of offer is generally nonstandard in everyday English.

There are several courses on offer this year.
The company plans to offer free delivery.
The hotel has many services on offer.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
on offer

Available or being sold

Use on offer for products, services, opportunities, or choices that are available.

Fresh fruit is on offer at the market today.
We reviewed the training programmes on offer.
2
to offer + object

Infinitive verb form

Use to offer before a noun phrase to describe giving or providing something.

They hope to offer better support next year.
The café decided to offer vegan meals.
3
special offer

Common noun phrase

Offer often appears in compound expressions without a preposition.

We used a special offer to save money.
The store advertised a limited-time offer.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
on offer
Several apartments are on offer this month.
Available for sale or consideration.
to offer
The company wants to offer refunds.
Verb structure meaning provide or present.
of offer
The phrase of offer is not standard in general English.
Usually replaced by offer of or another structure.
offer of
We accepted the offer of assistance.
A noun phrase followed by details.

Common mistakes

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

Confusing on offer with to offer

On offer is an adjective-like expression, while to offer is part of a verb phrase.

✕ The shop to offer many products. ✓ The shop has many products on offer.

Using of offer as a fixed phrase

English normally uses offer of something, not of offer.

✕ They discussed the of offer terms. ✓ They discussed the offer terms.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Many discounts are ___ offer this weekend.
2. The company plans ___ offer free trials.
3. Which expression is generally nonstandard?

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Frequently asked questions

What does on offer mean?

It means available, especially for sale, use, or consideration.

Is to offer a prepositional phrase?

No. To offer is an infinitive verb form.

Can I say offer of help?

Yes. Offer of help is a standard noun structure.

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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