corrupt in + area
Corruption within a field or institution
Use 'corrupt in' to identify where corruption exists.
The system is corrupt in many regions.
How to use 'corrupt' with prepositions
'Corrupt in' is used for areas of behaviour or systems. 'Corrupt to' is generally not a standard adjective pattern.
Quick answer
Which form is correct?
Use 'corrupt in' when referring to the area or activity where corruption exists. 'Corrupt to' is not normally used after the adjective 'corrupt'. English more often uses 'corrupt with', 'corrupt by', or an infinitive structure such as 'corrupt enough to'.
The agency was corrupt in several departments.
Officials became corrupt through bribery.
Officials became corrupt through bribery.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
corrupt with + influence
Affected by harmful influence
Use 'corrupt with' for moral or social corruption caused by something.
The process was corrupt with political pressure.
corrupt by + cause
Made dishonest by something
Use 'corrupt by' to identify the cause of corruption.
He was corrupt by greed.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
corrupt in
The organisation is corrupt in several offices.
Corruption exists within a particular area or part.
corrupt to
They were corrupt to the core.
Here 'to the core' is a separate phrase of degree, not a fixed 'corrupt to' pattern.
corrupt with
The administration was corrupt with favoritism.
Affected by corrupt influence.
corrupt by
The judge was corrupt by years of bribery.
Made corrupt because of something.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using 'corrupt to' after the adjective
'Corrupt to' is not normally an idiomatic adjective pattern.
✕ The officials were corrupt to the system. ✓ The officials were corrupt in the system.Confusing adjective and verb patterns
The verb 'corrupt' can take direct objects, but the adjective works differently.
✕ The manager was corrupt the process. ✓ The manager corrupted the process.Using 'in' for the cause of corruption
Use 'by' or 'with' for causes and influences.
✕ He was corrupt in greed. ✓ He was corrupt by greed.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The institution was corrupt ___ several departments.
2. The official was corrupt ___ years of bribery.
3. Which sentence is standard?
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Frequently asked questions
Is 'corrupt to' correct English?
Not usually as a fixed adjective pattern. It may appear in phrases such as 'corrupt to the core', where 'to' belongs to a separate expression.
Can I say 'corrupt in government'?
Yes. It means corruption exists within government.
What prepositions commonly follow 'corrupt'?
Common patterns include 'corrupt in', 'corrupt by', and 'corrupt with', depending on meaning.
Related preposition guides
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