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Prepositions with nouns

To, of, in, at or on rate?

Rate combines with several prepositions depending on meaning. Some combinations are fixed expressions, while others are limited to special contexts.

Quick answer

Which preposition is correct with rate?

Use rate of for speed, level, or measurement. Use at a rate of for numerical amounts. Use rate in in expressions such as increase in the rate. Rate to is uncommon except in technical meanings such as relate something to a rate. On rate appears in business or payment contexts.

The rate of inflation increased.
Sales grew at a rate of 5% per year.
There was a rise in the rate of unemployment.
Workers were paid on a daily rate.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
rate of + noun

Measurement or level

Use rate of for speed, frequency, growth, or measurement.

The rate of recovery was slow.
Scientists measured the rate of change.
2
at a rate of + number

Giving numerical values

Use at a rate of before percentages, speeds, or quantities.

The company expanded at a rate of 10% annually.
3
increase in the rate

Change within a rate

Use in before rate when discussing changes inside a category.

Doctors observed an increase in the rate of infections.
4
on a rate

Payment or pricing basis

Use on with rate in business or employment expressions about pricing or pay.

Consultants are hired on an hourly rate.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
rate of
The rate of unemployment fell.
Describes a level, measurement, or frequency.
at a rate of
Water flowed at a rate of 20 litres per minute.
Introduces a numerical amount.
in the rate
There was a drop in the rate of crime.
Shows change within a measured category.
on a rate
Drivers are paid on a fixed rate.
Payment or pricing basis.
rate to
This use is uncommon outside technical contexts.
Not a general pattern with the noun rate.

Common mistakes

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

Using to after rate in general measurements

English normally uses rate of, not rate to, for measurements.

✕ The rate to growth increased. ✓ The rate of growth increased.

Forgetting of after rate

Rate usually needs of before the thing measured.

✕ The rate unemployment is high. ✓ The rate of unemployment is high.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The ___ inflation remained stable.
2. Production increased at a rate ___ 8% yearly.
3. Workers are paid ___ an hourly rate.

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Frequently asked questions

Is rate of the most common pattern?

Yes. It is the standard structure for measurements, levels, and frequencies.

When do we use on a rate?

It appears in business, employment, and pricing contexts such as on a fixed rate or on an hourly rate.

Can rate to be correct?

It can appear in limited technical or mathematical contexts, but it is not the normal general pattern.

to, amount, in, amount, of, amount "to availability" or "of availability"? "to bed" or "in bed"? "to bit" or "by bit"? "to bottom" or "at bottom"? to, by, from, with or of ear? "to charity", "for charity" or "of charity"? "to coast" or "from coast"? "to cycle" or "of cycle"? "to deal" or "of deal"? "to debut" or "on debut"? "to editor" or "of editor"?

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