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Prepositions before nouns

“With dignity” or “of dignity”?

“With dignity” is the common expression for behaving in a calm and respected way. “Of dignity” appears only in specific descriptive phrases.

Quick answer

Common uses of “dignity”

Use “with dignity” to describe behaviour or manner. “Of dignity” is possible in formal descriptions such as “a person of dignity” or “a sense of dignity,” but it is less common and more literary.

She accepted the award with dignity.
He handled the criticism with dignity.
They admired her sense of dignity.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
with dignity

Describing respectful behaviour

Use “with dignity” after verbs to describe calm, respectful conduct.

He spoke with dignity during the interview.
She faced the situation with dignity.
2
person of dignity

Describing someone's character

Use “of dignity” in formal noun phrases that describe qualities.

She is a woman of dignity and patience.
They remembered him as a leader of dignity.
3
sense of dignity

Talking about personal respect

Use “of dignity” after nouns such as “sense” or “feeling.”

Work gives people a sense of dignity.
He never lost his feeling of dignity.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
with dignity
She left the meeting with dignity.
in a respectful and controlled manner
of dignity
He was a man of dignity.
describing a quality in formal style
sense of dignity
Children need a sense of dignity.
feeling of self-respect
dignity with
They treated the patient with dignity.
here “with” belongs to the verb phrase, not directly to the noun

Common mistakes

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

Using “of dignity” as a general adverbial phrase

For behaviour or manner, English usually uses “with dignity.”

✕ She answered of dignity. ✓ She answered with dignity.

Forgetting the article in descriptive phrases

Formal “of dignity” patterns usually need a noun before them.

✕ He is of dignity. ✓ He is a man of dignity.

Confusing “with dignity” and “with respect”

“With dignity” describes manner; “with respect” describes attitude toward someone.

✕ The ceremony was conducted with respect. ✓ The ceremony was conducted with dignity.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She reacted ___ dignity during the debate.
2. He was remembered as a man ___ dignity.
3. The job gave him a sense ___ dignity.

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Frequently asked questions

Is “with dignity” formal or informal?

It works in both formal and everyday English.

Can I say “a person of dignity”?

Yes. It is correct and slightly formal or literary.

Why is “of dignity” less common?

It usually appears inside descriptive noun phrases rather than after verbs.

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