Should I use “in” or “of”?
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I would like to write about the Municipal Services Sector in my country, which is the Kingdom of Bahrain. So, what is the right phrase to use:
- The Municipal Services Sector of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
- The Municipal Services Sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
word-choice prepositions
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I would like to write about the Municipal Services Sector in my country, which is the Kingdom of Bahrain. So, what is the right phrase to use:
- The Municipal Services Sector of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
- The Municipal Services Sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
word-choice prepositions
3
If you say of, you imply that the Kingdom is in charge of the Sector; i.e, it's a government department of some kind. If you say in, you leave that implication open; it might, for instance, refer to an economic sector composed of independent businesses instead of being part of the government. However, the term "municipal services" biases the interpretation towards a government department, because governments run cities and govenments provide services.
– John Lawler
May 30 '15 at 0:38
I don't agree with @JohnLawler. I think if you say "of" it leaves it rather open. "Municipal" refers to the governing agencies of cities or towns, not whole countries. If you wanted to mean the whole country, then "national" would be a more appropriate word choice. The use of "in" sounds a little odd to my ear unless you say "Municipal service sectors". Now considering the size of Bahrain, all these distinctions might be rather moot.
– A.Ellett
May 30 '15 at 1:31
1
This should be an answer John
– Tristan Wiley
May 30 '15 at 1:32
add a comment |
up vote
2
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favorite
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
I would like to write about the Municipal Services Sector in my country, which is the Kingdom of Bahrain. So, what is the right phrase to use:
- The Municipal Services Sector of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
- The Municipal Services Sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
word-choice prepositions
I would like to write about the Municipal Services Sector in my country, which is the Kingdom of Bahrain. So, what is the right phrase to use:
- The Municipal Services Sector of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
- The Municipal Services Sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
word-choice prepositions
word-choice prepositions
edited Jan 19 '17 at 7:11
NVZ
20.8k1359110
20.8k1359110
asked May 30 '15 at 0:25
Mohamed
1112
1112
3
If you say of, you imply that the Kingdom is in charge of the Sector; i.e, it's a government department of some kind. If you say in, you leave that implication open; it might, for instance, refer to an economic sector composed of independent businesses instead of being part of the government. However, the term "municipal services" biases the interpretation towards a government department, because governments run cities and govenments provide services.
– John Lawler
May 30 '15 at 0:38
I don't agree with @JohnLawler. I think if you say "of" it leaves it rather open. "Municipal" refers to the governing agencies of cities or towns, not whole countries. If you wanted to mean the whole country, then "national" would be a more appropriate word choice. The use of "in" sounds a little odd to my ear unless you say "Municipal service sectors". Now considering the size of Bahrain, all these distinctions might be rather moot.
– A.Ellett
May 30 '15 at 1:31
1
This should be an answer John
– Tristan Wiley
May 30 '15 at 1:32
add a comment |
3
If you say of, you imply that the Kingdom is in charge of the Sector; i.e, it's a government department of some kind. If you say in, you leave that implication open; it might, for instance, refer to an economic sector composed of independent businesses instead of being part of the government. However, the term "municipal services" biases the interpretation towards a government department, because governments run cities and govenments provide services.
– John Lawler
May 30 '15 at 0:38
I don't agree with @JohnLawler. I think if you say "of" it leaves it rather open. "Municipal" refers to the governing agencies of cities or towns, not whole countries. If you wanted to mean the whole country, then "national" would be a more appropriate word choice. The use of "in" sounds a little odd to my ear unless you say "Municipal service sectors". Now considering the size of Bahrain, all these distinctions might be rather moot.
– A.Ellett
May 30 '15 at 1:31
1
This should be an answer John
– Tristan Wiley
May 30 '15 at 1:32
3
3
If you say of, you imply that the Kingdom is in charge of the Sector; i.e, it's a government department of some kind. If you say in, you leave that implication open; it might, for instance, refer to an economic sector composed of independent businesses instead of being part of the government. However, the term "municipal services" biases the interpretation towards a government department, because governments run cities and govenments provide services.
– John Lawler
May 30 '15 at 0:38
If you say of, you imply that the Kingdom is in charge of the Sector; i.e, it's a government department of some kind. If you say in, you leave that implication open; it might, for instance, refer to an economic sector composed of independent businesses instead of being part of the government. However, the term "municipal services" biases the interpretation towards a government department, because governments run cities and govenments provide services.
– John Lawler
May 30 '15 at 0:38
I don't agree with @JohnLawler. I think if you say "of" it leaves it rather open. "Municipal" refers to the governing agencies of cities or towns, not whole countries. If you wanted to mean the whole country, then "national" would be a more appropriate word choice. The use of "in" sounds a little odd to my ear unless you say "Municipal service sectors". Now considering the size of Bahrain, all these distinctions might be rather moot.
– A.Ellett
May 30 '15 at 1:31
I don't agree with @JohnLawler. I think if you say "of" it leaves it rather open. "Municipal" refers to the governing agencies of cities or towns, not whole countries. If you wanted to mean the whole country, then "national" would be a more appropriate word choice. The use of "in" sounds a little odd to my ear unless you say "Municipal service sectors". Now considering the size of Bahrain, all these distinctions might be rather moot.
– A.Ellett
May 30 '15 at 1:31
1
1
This should be an answer John
– Tristan Wiley
May 30 '15 at 1:32
This should be an answer John
– Tristan Wiley
May 30 '15 at 1:32
add a comment |
4 Answers
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Another possibility would be to say the Kingdom of Bahrain's Municipal Services Sector (assuming there is only one such sector in the kingdom).
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up vote
1
down vote
Appropriate: The Municipal Services Sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The subject deals with what's happening in a country, how the services are in Bahrain.
"in" - relates to the location (space)
"of" - refers to the state of belonging, viz., a part of something else
add a comment |
up vote
-1
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You would use "of".
Here's an explanation why:
Let's take a pie (it can represent the Kingdom of Bahrain). The pie has five slices (let's call them sectors). Would you say "I would like a sector in that pie" or "I would like a sector of that pie"?
Sorry if this is a bit of a crazy answer - I just wanted to explain it as clearly as possible.
– Dog Lover
May 30 '15 at 2:53
1
But if you divide a country into states, you would say "a state in that country". To say "a state of that country" just sounds awkward; it would sound better to "one of the country's states".
– A.Ellett
May 30 '15 at 3:38
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
Both say the same thing in your use. Use "in" as of and of sounds too repetitive.
New contributor
2
This is an incorrect answer: they do not "say the same thing", and in no way is the use of "of" twice in the one sentence "too repetitive". I suggest you read John Lawler's comment and the upvoted answers.
– Chappo
35 mins ago
1
Melvin, note also that the system has flagged your answer for deletion as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on this site is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. I suggest you edit your answer - for example, adding published definitions (linked to the source) for the relevant uses of "in" and "of". For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour :-)
– Chappo
33 mins ago
that's okay just delete it then
– Melvin Vasquez
8 mins ago
add a comment |
Your Answer
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
2
down vote
Another possibility would be to say the Kingdom of Bahrain's Municipal Services Sector (assuming there is only one such sector in the kingdom).
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
Another possibility would be to say the Kingdom of Bahrain's Municipal Services Sector (assuming there is only one such sector in the kingdom).
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
Another possibility would be to say the Kingdom of Bahrain's Municipal Services Sector (assuming there is only one such sector in the kingdom).
Another possibility would be to say the Kingdom of Bahrain's Municipal Services Sector (assuming there is only one such sector in the kingdom).
answered May 30 '15 at 2:28
Michele Michael
262
262
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
Appropriate: The Municipal Services Sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The subject deals with what's happening in a country, how the services are in Bahrain.
"in" - relates to the location (space)
"of" - refers to the state of belonging, viz., a part of something else
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
Appropriate: The Municipal Services Sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The subject deals with what's happening in a country, how the services are in Bahrain.
"in" - relates to the location (space)
"of" - refers to the state of belonging, viz., a part of something else
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
Appropriate: The Municipal Services Sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The subject deals with what's happening in a country, how the services are in Bahrain.
"in" - relates to the location (space)
"of" - refers to the state of belonging, viz., a part of something else
Appropriate: The Municipal Services Sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The subject deals with what's happening in a country, how the services are in Bahrain.
"in" - relates to the location (space)
"of" - refers to the state of belonging, viz., a part of something else
answered May 30 '15 at 12:28
Sankarane
2,1421517
2,1421517
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
You would use "of".
Here's an explanation why:
Let's take a pie (it can represent the Kingdom of Bahrain). The pie has five slices (let's call them sectors). Would you say "I would like a sector in that pie" or "I would like a sector of that pie"?
Sorry if this is a bit of a crazy answer - I just wanted to explain it as clearly as possible.
– Dog Lover
May 30 '15 at 2:53
1
But if you divide a country into states, you would say "a state in that country". To say "a state of that country" just sounds awkward; it would sound better to "one of the country's states".
– A.Ellett
May 30 '15 at 3:38
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
You would use "of".
Here's an explanation why:
Let's take a pie (it can represent the Kingdom of Bahrain). The pie has five slices (let's call them sectors). Would you say "I would like a sector in that pie" or "I would like a sector of that pie"?
Sorry if this is a bit of a crazy answer - I just wanted to explain it as clearly as possible.
– Dog Lover
May 30 '15 at 2:53
1
But if you divide a country into states, you would say "a state in that country". To say "a state of that country" just sounds awkward; it would sound better to "one of the country's states".
– A.Ellett
May 30 '15 at 3:38
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
up vote
-1
down vote
You would use "of".
Here's an explanation why:
Let's take a pie (it can represent the Kingdom of Bahrain). The pie has five slices (let's call them sectors). Would you say "I would like a sector in that pie" or "I would like a sector of that pie"?
You would use "of".
Here's an explanation why:
Let's take a pie (it can represent the Kingdom of Bahrain). The pie has five slices (let's call them sectors). Would you say "I would like a sector in that pie" or "I would like a sector of that pie"?
answered May 30 '15 at 2:52
Dog Lover
4,86652962
4,86652962
Sorry if this is a bit of a crazy answer - I just wanted to explain it as clearly as possible.
– Dog Lover
May 30 '15 at 2:53
1
But if you divide a country into states, you would say "a state in that country". To say "a state of that country" just sounds awkward; it would sound better to "one of the country's states".
– A.Ellett
May 30 '15 at 3:38
add a comment |
Sorry if this is a bit of a crazy answer - I just wanted to explain it as clearly as possible.
– Dog Lover
May 30 '15 at 2:53
1
But if you divide a country into states, you would say "a state in that country". To say "a state of that country" just sounds awkward; it would sound better to "one of the country's states".
– A.Ellett
May 30 '15 at 3:38
Sorry if this is a bit of a crazy answer - I just wanted to explain it as clearly as possible.
– Dog Lover
May 30 '15 at 2:53
Sorry if this is a bit of a crazy answer - I just wanted to explain it as clearly as possible.
– Dog Lover
May 30 '15 at 2:53
1
1
But if you divide a country into states, you would say "a state in that country". To say "a state of that country" just sounds awkward; it would sound better to "one of the country's states".
– A.Ellett
May 30 '15 at 3:38
But if you divide a country into states, you would say "a state in that country". To say "a state of that country" just sounds awkward; it would sound better to "one of the country's states".
– A.Ellett
May 30 '15 at 3:38
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
Both say the same thing in your use. Use "in" as of and of sounds too repetitive.
New contributor
2
This is an incorrect answer: they do not "say the same thing", and in no way is the use of "of" twice in the one sentence "too repetitive". I suggest you read John Lawler's comment and the upvoted answers.
– Chappo
35 mins ago
1
Melvin, note also that the system has flagged your answer for deletion as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on this site is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. I suggest you edit your answer - for example, adding published definitions (linked to the source) for the relevant uses of "in" and "of". For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour :-)
– Chappo
33 mins ago
that's okay just delete it then
– Melvin Vasquez
8 mins ago
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
Both say the same thing in your use. Use "in" as of and of sounds too repetitive.
New contributor
2
This is an incorrect answer: they do not "say the same thing", and in no way is the use of "of" twice in the one sentence "too repetitive". I suggest you read John Lawler's comment and the upvoted answers.
– Chappo
35 mins ago
1
Melvin, note also that the system has flagged your answer for deletion as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on this site is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. I suggest you edit your answer - for example, adding published definitions (linked to the source) for the relevant uses of "in" and "of". For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour :-)
– Chappo
33 mins ago
that's okay just delete it then
– Melvin Vasquez
8 mins ago
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
up vote
-1
down vote
Both say the same thing in your use. Use "in" as of and of sounds too repetitive.
New contributor
Both say the same thing in your use. Use "in" as of and of sounds too repetitive.
New contributor
New contributor
answered 1 hour ago
Melvin Vasquez
1
1
New contributor
New contributor
2
This is an incorrect answer: they do not "say the same thing", and in no way is the use of "of" twice in the one sentence "too repetitive". I suggest you read John Lawler's comment and the upvoted answers.
– Chappo
35 mins ago
1
Melvin, note also that the system has flagged your answer for deletion as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on this site is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. I suggest you edit your answer - for example, adding published definitions (linked to the source) for the relevant uses of "in" and "of". For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour :-)
– Chappo
33 mins ago
that's okay just delete it then
– Melvin Vasquez
8 mins ago
add a comment |
2
This is an incorrect answer: they do not "say the same thing", and in no way is the use of "of" twice in the one sentence "too repetitive". I suggest you read John Lawler's comment and the upvoted answers.
– Chappo
35 mins ago
1
Melvin, note also that the system has flagged your answer for deletion as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on this site is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. I suggest you edit your answer - for example, adding published definitions (linked to the source) for the relevant uses of "in" and "of". For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour :-)
– Chappo
33 mins ago
that's okay just delete it then
– Melvin Vasquez
8 mins ago
2
2
This is an incorrect answer: they do not "say the same thing", and in no way is the use of "of" twice in the one sentence "too repetitive". I suggest you read John Lawler's comment and the upvoted answers.
– Chappo
35 mins ago
This is an incorrect answer: they do not "say the same thing", and in no way is the use of "of" twice in the one sentence "too repetitive". I suggest you read John Lawler's comment and the upvoted answers.
– Chappo
35 mins ago
1
1
Melvin, note also that the system has flagged your answer for deletion as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on this site is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. I suggest you edit your answer - for example, adding published definitions (linked to the source) for the relevant uses of "in" and "of". For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour :-)
– Chappo
33 mins ago
Melvin, note also that the system has flagged your answer for deletion as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on this site is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. I suggest you edit your answer - for example, adding published definitions (linked to the source) for the relevant uses of "in" and "of". For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour :-)
– Chappo
33 mins ago
that's okay just delete it then
– Melvin Vasquez
8 mins ago
that's okay just delete it then
– Melvin Vasquez
8 mins ago
add a comment |
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If you say of, you imply that the Kingdom is in charge of the Sector; i.e, it's a government department of some kind. If you say in, you leave that implication open; it might, for instance, refer to an economic sector composed of independent businesses instead of being part of the government. However, the term "municipal services" biases the interpretation towards a government department, because governments run cities and govenments provide services.
– John Lawler
May 30 '15 at 0:38
I don't agree with @JohnLawler. I think if you say "of" it leaves it rather open. "Municipal" refers to the governing agencies of cities or towns, not whole countries. If you wanted to mean the whole country, then "national" would be a more appropriate word choice. The use of "in" sounds a little odd to my ear unless you say "Municipal service sectors". Now considering the size of Bahrain, all these distinctions might be rather moot.
– A.Ellett
May 30 '15 at 1:31
1
This should be an answer John
– Tristan Wiley
May 30 '15 at 1:32