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Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Language/2024 April 27

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April 27[edit]

Of or In[edit]

Hello if an article is focused on highlighting a country's or city's attractions or venues or landmarks is it of or in? For example, Landmarks of Zambia or Landmarks in Zambia? Attractions of Seattle or Attractions in Seattle?

Wikipedia seems to be inconsistent. Classicwiki (talk) If you reply here, please ping me. 21:37, 27 April 2024 (UTC)[reply]

I don't suppose it matters much, but in seems more neutral, while of implies that the people or government of the region are responsible for the thing in question. So we have Slums in Chennai and Abandoned mine drainages in Colorado, not of in either case, whereas Castles of Albania says "these castles are a great asset to the Albanian nation".  Card Zero  (talk) 00:04, 28 April 2024 (UTC)[reply]
Both are clearly correct. "Of" indicates association, as in prepositinal sense 8 here, "belonging or connected to"; "in" indicates location, as in prepositional sense 1 here, "within the limits, bounds, or area of". So it's a matter of preference. --142.112.220.50 (talk) 00:08, 28 April 2024 (UTC)[reply]
I would tend to see "landmarks of" as more natural than "landmarks in". Native British English speaker. DuncanHill (talk) 00:10, 28 April 2024 (UTC)[reply]
@Card Zero - that was the same line of logic I had. Take for example, Pueblo Bonito which was built before the state of New Mexico even existed. To me it would feel more neutral to say it is a landmark in New Mexico. Thanks for the reply. Classicwiki (talk) If you reply here, please ping me. 00:20, 28 April 2024 (UTC)[reply]