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Prepositions after adjectives

Applicable to, in, for, on or across?

Applicable to is the standard adjective pattern. Other prepositions usually have different grammatical roles or are nonstandard with applicable.

Quick answer

Which preposition follows applicable?

Use applicable to for rules, ideas, or conditions that relate to someone or something. Applicable in may describe a context, while applicable for, applicable on, and applicable across are not standard adjective patterns.

The discount is applicable to online orders only.
These rules are applicable to all employees.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
applicable to + subject

Showing relevance or suitability

Use to for the thing or person affected by a rule, law, or condition.

The policy is applicable to international students.
2
applicable in + context

Showing the situation where something applies

In can introduce the context or field where a rule applies.

The principle is applicable in many industries.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
applicable to
The tax is applicable to luxury goods.
Standard pattern meaning relevant or valid for something.
applicable in
The method is applicable in clinical settings.
In introduces the context where something applies.
applicable for
This use is generally nonstandard.
Use applicable to instead.
applicable on
This form is usually incorrect with applicable.
Use to or in depending on meaning.
applicable across
The policy is applicable across all departments.
Across acts as an adjunct meaning throughout multiple areas.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using applicable for

Applicable normally takes to, not for.

✕ The rule is applicable for new staff. ✓ The rule is applicable to new staff.

Using applicable on for dates

Use from or on separately, not as a fixed pattern.

✕ The offer is applicable on students. ✓ The offer is applicable to students.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The regulation is applicable ___ all vehicles.
2. The technique is applicable ___ research environments.
3. The new policy is applicable ___ every branch.

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Frequently asked questions

Is applicable to always correct?

Yes. It is the main standard pattern with applicable.

Can applicable in be used?

Yes. It refers to the context or field where something applies.

Is applicable for wrong?

In most cases, yes. Use applicable to instead.

abhorrent-to-in-for-of, about "ablaze with" or "ablaze in"? "able for" or "able in"? "abreast of" or "abreast with"? "absent from" or "absent in"? absolute in, for, of, to or as? "absurd to", "absurd in" or "absurd for"? abundant in, with, of, on or for? "abusive to", "abusive in" or "abusive towards"? "academic in" or "academic at"? "acceptable to" or "acceptable for"? accessible to, by, for, from or in?

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