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Prepositions after adjectives

Compulsory for or compulsory in?

Compulsory for is the standard pattern when something is required for a person or group. Compulsory in usually refers to a place, system, or field where a rule applies.

Quick answer

Which is correct: compulsory for or compulsory in?

Use compulsory for to say who must do something. Use compulsory in to describe where a requirement exists, such as in a country, school system, or subject area.

Maths is compulsory for all students.
Military service is compulsory in several countries.
Attendance is compulsory for first-year students.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
compulsory for + person/group

Showing who must do something

Use compulsory for to identify the people affected by a rule or requirement.

Uniforms are compulsory for staff.
The course is compulsory for medical trainees.
2
compulsory in + place/system

Showing where a rule exists

Use compulsory in for countries, schools, organisations, or systems where something is required.

Voting is compulsory in Australia.
Latin was once compulsory in many schools.
3
compulsory at + institution

Referring to a specific institution

At can identify a school, company, or event where a requirement applies.

Attendance is compulsory at the workshop.
ID badges are compulsory at this facility.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
compulsory for
The training is compulsory for new employees.
Standard pattern for the people required to do something.
compulsory in
Physical education is compulsory in primary school.
Shows the place, system, or context where the rule applies.
compulsory at
Registration is compulsory at the conference.
Refers to a specific location or institution.

Common mistakes

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

Using compulsory in for people

Use for, not in, when naming the people affected.

✕ The course is compulsory in all students. ✓ The course is compulsory for all students.

Omitting the context after compulsory in

In should introduce a place, system, or field.

✕ Attendance is compulsory in. ✓ Attendance is compulsory in many universities.

Confusing compulsory for with purpose

For after compulsory identifies affected people, not the reason.

✕ Helmets are compulsory for safety. ✓ Helmets are compulsory for cyclists.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The exam is compulsory ___ all applicants.
2. Voting is compulsory ___ some countries.
3. Attendance is compulsory ___ this university.

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Frequently asked questions

Can compulsory in refer to a school subject?

Yes. You can say a subject is compulsory in a school system or educational stage.

Is compulsory for always about people?

Usually yes. It identifies the group that must follow the rule.

Can I say compulsory to?

Compulsory to is uncommon in modern English. Compulsory for is usually the correct choice.

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