Matter States Terminology

noun a word (other than a pronoun) used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things

preposition a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause

• The patient seems to be in a state of shock after the accident.
• She's really in a state about her upcoming presentation.
• I can't believe he's still in a state over that breakup.
• The country is in a state of turmoil following the political unrest.