Sign In Get Started
Prepositions with nouns

To post or of post?

The noun post appears in several fixed expressions. To post is common after verbs of movement or assignment, while of post is generally not a standard pattern.

Quick answer

Which phrase is correct?

To post is common in phrases like appoint to a post or return to your post. Of post is not normally used as a direct combination in standard English.

She was promoted to a post in the finance department.
The guard returned to his post after lunch.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
to a post

Describing appointment or movement

Use to a post after verbs such as appoint, assign, promote, or move.

He was assigned to a post overseas.
2
at a post

Describing location or duty position

Use at a post to describe where someone works or stands on duty.

Two officers remained at their post overnight.
3
post of + title

Naming an official position

Use post of before the name of a role or office.

She accepted the post of director.
4
in post

Describing someone currently serving

In post means currently holding a position.

The minister has been in post since May.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
to post
She was promoted to a senior post.
Standard when referring to movement or appointment to a position.
of post
They discussed the duties of the post.
Of is possible before post in a larger noun phrase, but of post alone is not a standard combination.
post of
He took the post of treasurer.
Standard pattern naming a role or title.
at post
The soldier stayed at his post.
Standard for physical or duty location.

Common mistakes

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

Using of post as a fixed phrase

English does not normally use of post alone.

✕ She was assigned of post. ✓ She was assigned to a post.

Missing the article

Post often needs a or the when referring to a position.

✕ He returned to post. ✓ He returned to his post.

Confusing post of and position of

Post of is followed by a title.

✕ the post of in London ✓ the post in London

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She was appointed ___ a post in marketing.
2. The guard stayed ___ his post all night.
3. He accepted the post ___ manager.

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

Is of post ever correct?

Not as a fixed phrase. Of can appear before post inside larger structures such as duties of the post.

What does in post mean?

It means currently serving in an official position.

Can I say to post?

Yes, especially after verbs like appoint, assign, or promote.

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"?

Write with confidence in Linguix

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

Create a free account