I know that we use "PhD student in Applied Linguistics" as an example. But, I also see some people use "PhD of AL". I think it is incorrect. Am I right?
It's not incorrect, but how many people would understand it? In specialised contexts it would work, but most people would not know what you were trying to say.
It's not incorrect, but how many people would understand it? In specialised contexts it would work, but most people would not know what you were trying to say.
Oh, yes you are right. But, I think there was a misunderstanding here because of the contracted form that I used. What I meant was in fact the correct use of prepositions. Can we use both "of" and "in"? Is it possible to say "I'm an MA student of Applied Linguistics" and "I'm an MA student in Applied Linguistics"?
I would only use in. If you're seeing this from students at American universities, remember that half or more of grad students here are not native Anglophones. They're likely to make mistakes in their English, even if they are studying linguistics.