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Prepositions after adjectives

Disabled in or disabled for?

Disabled in usually refers to an area, function, or activity affected. Disabled for is less common and usually refers to a purpose or period of time.

Quick answer

How do you use disabled with prepositions?

Use disabled in to describe the area or activity affected: disabled in one arm, disabled in daily tasks. Disabled for is used in more limited contexts such as disabled for military service or disabled for life.

He was disabled in one leg after the accident.
The injury left her disabled in daily activities.
He was declared disabled for military service.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
disabled in + body part or function

Showing the affected area

Use in to identify the body part, skill, or activity affected.

She became disabled in her right hand.
The condition left him disabled in movement.
2
disabled for + purpose

Showing unsuitability for a role

Use for when referring to a purpose, duty, or official category.

He was classified as disabled for combat.
The illness made her disabled for work for several months.
3
disabled by + cause

Naming the cause of disability

By introduces the condition, injury, or event causing the disability.

She was permanently disabled by a stroke.
Many workers were disabled by exposure to chemicals.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
disabled in
He is disabled in his left arm.
In identifies the affected area or function.
disabled for
She was declared disabled for active duty.
For refers to a role, purpose, or period.
disabled by
He was disabled by an accident.
By names the cause.
disabled from
She was disabled from working for months.
From introduces an activity prevented by the condition.

Common mistakes

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

Using for instead of in for body parts

Use in with body parts or functions.

✕ He is disabled for one arm. ✓ He is disabled in one arm.

Using in for official roles

Use for with duties or purposes.

✕ She was disabled in military service. ✓ She was disabled for military service.

Confusing cause and affected area

Use by for the cause and in for the affected function.

✕ He was disabled in a car accident. ✓ He was disabled by a car accident.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The injury left him disabled ___ his right hand.
2. She was declared disabled ___ active service.
3. He was disabled ___ a serious infection.

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Frequently asked questions

Is disabled in common?

Yes. It is used for affected body parts, functions, or activities.

When do we use disabled for?

Use it for duties, purposes, or official classifications such as disabled for work.

Can disabled by replace disabled in?

No. Disabled by gives the cause, while disabled in gives the affected area or function.

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