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Prepositions with nouns

On tour or to tour?

On tour is a common expression for travelling performances or official visits. To tour is an infinitive verb form with a different grammar pattern.

Quick answer

The difference between on tour and to tour

Use on tour when someone is travelling for performances, events, or visits. Use to tour as part of a verb phrase such as plan to tour or hope to tour.

The band is on tour in Europe.
She plans to tour South America next year.
The actor spent six months on tour.
They hope to tour internationally.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
on tour

Showing travelling performances or visits

Use on tour for artists, teams, or groups travelling to different places.

The orchestra is on tour this summer.
2
go on tour

Starting a series of performances or visits

Use go on tour for the beginning of a touring schedule.

The singer will go on tour after the album release.
3
to tour + place

Using the verb tour

Use to tour as an infinitive verb meaning travel through places.

They decided to tour Italy by train.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
on tour
The comedy group is on tour this month.
travelling for performances or events
to tour
She wants to tour Asia next year.
infinitive verb meaning travel around
go on tour
The band will go on tour in October.
begin a tour
tour of
We booked a tour of the museum.
a guided visit

Common mistakes

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

Using to tour instead of on tour

Use on tour after be when describing a touring situation.

✕ The band is to tour in Canada. ✓ The band is on tour in Canada.

Using on tour before a direct object

On tour is not followed directly by a place object.

✕ They are on tour France. ✓ They are on tour in France.

Confusing noun and verb forms

Tour can be a noun or a verb depending on the structure.

✕ She plans on tour Europe. ✓ She plans to tour Europe.

Missing a verb before to tour

To tour usually follows another verb.

✕ The musicians to tour next year. ✓ The musicians plan to tour next year.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The dancers are ___ tour this winter.
2. He hopes ___ tour Japan next year.
3. The group will go ___ tour after the festival.

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Frequently asked questions

What does on tour mean?

It means travelling to different places for performances, events, or official visits.

Is to tour grammatically correct?

Yes. It is the infinitive form of the verb tour, as in want to tour Europe.

Can tour be both a noun and a verb?

Yes. A tour can be a trip or series of visits, and to tour means to travel around places.

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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