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Prepositions before nouns

How to use target with prepositions

On target is a standard expression for accuracy or success. Of target is not a normal English combination.

Quick answer

The standard expression

Use on target to mean accurate, successful, or meeting a goal. Of target is generally not idiomatic English.

The missile was on target within seconds.
Sales are still on target for this quarter.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
on target

Showing accuracy or success

On target means accurate or meeting an expected goal.

Her prediction was on target again.
The project remains on target despite delays.
2
target for + activity

Naming the aim of an action

Use target for when something is the object of criticism, attacks, or campaigns.

The company became a target for hackers.
He was an easy target for criticism.
3
target of + action

Showing what receives an action

Target of is common when describing something affected by attention or attacks.

She was the target of online abuse.
The town became the target of repeated bombing.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
on target
The team is on target to finish by June.
meeting a goal or being accurate
of target
Of target is not a standard English expression.
generally nonstandard
target of
The report was the target of criticism.
receiving an action or reaction
target for
Banks are common targets for fraud.
intended object of an action

Common mistakes

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

Using of target instead of on target

English uses on target for accuracy or success.

✕ The campaign is of target. ✓ The campaign is on target.

Confusing target of and on target

These phrases have different meanings.

✕ The missile was target of. ✓ The missile was on target.

Dropping the article before target of

Target of usually needs an article or determiner.

✕ She became target of criticism. ✓ She became the target of criticism.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The marketing team is ___ to meet its yearly goals.
2. The building became the ___ several attacks.
3. Which expression is nonstandard in modern English?

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Frequently asked questions

Can on target describe people?

Yes. It can describe accurate comments, predictions, or performance by people.

Is off target the opposite of on target?

Yes. Off target means inaccurate or failing to meet a goal.

When do I use target of instead of target for?

Use target of for something receiving an action and target for for an intended aim or victim.

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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