Non-native speakers often try to memorize a single correct preposition for narrative and apply it everywhere. That instinct is understandable -- and it's exactly what produces new errors here. Four different prepositions are correct with narrative, each in its own sentence structure.
Four patterns, four different jobs
"The narrative around/about + noun" is the most common pattern for naming the surrounding public or stakeholder interpretation of a topic. "Around" shows up more frequently, but "about" is equally natural and shouldn't be marked wrong.
"There's a strong narrative around the acquisition that investors keep bringing up in calls."
"A narrative of + noun phrase" introduces the framing's content directly as a noun phrase -- describing what the narrative consists of.
"The turnaround plan needs to tell a narrative of steady, deliberate execution."
"A narrative that + clause" introduces the framing's content as a full claim, useful when you want to state or dispute exactly what the narrative asserts.
"The narrative that demand has collapsed is not supported by the latest data."
Want to learn "Narrative" in depth?
Lyra Practice teaches advanced non-native professionals the nuance of high-value expressions like this one, then has you practice using them in realistic work scenarios.
Start learning for free →"Build a compelling narrative for + audience" names who the framing is being built for.
"We're building a narrative for investors that connects the results to the thesis."
Why "one correct preposition" is the wrong mental model
None of these four patterns is a universal default. The mistake isn't using the "wrong" preposition in some abstract sense -- it's forcing one pattern's preposition into a sentence structure that actually calls for a different one.
"The narrative around demand has collapsed" is broken, because the sentence is trying to state a full claim (demand has collapsed), and "around" doesn't introduce a clause. The correct version is "the narrative that demand has collapsed."
That example is worth sitting with, because it shows exactly how the over-correction happens. A learner who has internalized "around is correct with narrative" applies it everywhere, including a sentence structure where "that" is what the grammar actually requires. Fixing one error by memorizing a single rule just produces a different error.
Matching the preposition to what comes next
The reliable approach isn't memorizing "narrative always takes X." It's checking what follows the preposition. A topic or noun -- use around or about. A noun phrase describing the framing's content -- use of. A full clause -- use that. An audience -- use for. Once you're checking the structure instead of reaching for a fixed rule, the right preposition becomes obvious almost every time.
Practice scenarios
Practice choosing the correct preposition in situations like:
- naming the public interpretation surrounding a specific topic
- stating exactly what a narrative claims, as a full sentence
- describing who a narrative is being built for
Useful practice phrases:
- "There's a strong narrative around..."
- "The narrative that... is not supported by the data."
- "We're building a narrative for [audience] that connects..."
Four prepositions, four jobs. The fix isn't picking a favorite -- it's matching the preposition to the sentence structure you're actually building.
Lyra Practice helps advanced non-native English professionals learn the nuance of high-value workplace expressions and practice using them in realistic scenarios, so their English sounds natural, precise, and senior at work. Try Lyra Practice.