Sign In Get Started
Prepositions with welfare

How to use on welfare and of welfare

On welfare is the standard phrase for receiving public financial support. Of welfare appears in descriptive noun phrases.

Quick answer

Correct use of welfare

Use on welfare when referring to receiving government benefits. Use of welfare in phrases such as department of welfare or issues of welfare.

After losing his job, he went on welfare for several months.
The minister of welfare spoke at the event.
They study issues of child welfare in the course.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
on welfare

Receiving government support

Use on welfare for people receiving public assistance.

Many families were on welfare during the recession.
She does not want to remain on welfare permanently.
2
welfare of + group

Talking about well-being

Welfare of refers to the health, safety, or well-being of people or animals.

The charity protects the welfare of children.
They discussed the welfare of farm animals.
3
department of welfare

Official titles and institutions

Of welfare is common in names of offices or areas of responsibility.

He works for the Department of Welfare.
The report came from the Ministry of Welfare.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
on welfare
He was on welfare after the factory closed.
Standard phrase for receiving state benefits.
of welfare
The committee discussed issues of welfare.
Used in descriptive or institutional phrases.
for welfare
The charity raises money for animal welfare.
Shows purpose or support.
in welfare
She works in welfare services.
Refers to a professional field or area.

Common mistakes

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

Using of welfare for benefit recipients

For receiving government assistance, use on welfare.

✕ They have been of welfare for years. ✓ They have been on welfare for years.

Missing the article in official names

Institution names usually need the before them.

✕ He works at Department of Welfare. ✓ He works at the Department of Welfare.

Confusing welfare of and welfare for

Welfare of names who receives care; for often shows support or purpose.

✕ The welfare for children is important. ✓ The welfare of children is important.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. After the accident, the family relied ___ welfare.
2. The charity focuses on the welfare ___ animals.
3. She works ___ welfare services.

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

What does on welfare mean?

It means receiving government financial assistance or social benefits.

Can of welfare be correct?

Yes, in phrases such as welfare of children or Department of Welfare.

Is welfare always about money?

No. Welfare can also mean general health, safety, and well-being.

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"?

Write with confidence in Linguix

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

Create a free account