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Prepositions with exempt

Exempt from, under, by, for or in?

Exempt is most often followed by from to show what does not apply. Under can refer to a law or rule. By usually names the authority granting the exemption.

Quick answer

Which preposition follows exempt?

Use exempt from for rules, taxes, duties, or requirements that do not apply. Use exempt under with laws or legal provisions. Exempt by may identify the authority giving the exemption. Exempt for and exempt in are uncommon except in specific contexts.

Students are exempt from the entrance fee.
The activity is exempt under section 12 of the law.
The company was exempt from reporting requirements.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
exempt from + obligation

Showing what does not apply

From is the standard preposition after exempt.

Children are exempt from the charge.
Some workers are exempt from overtime rules.
2
exempt under + law/rule

Referring to legal authority

Under is used with legislation, policies, or regulations.

The product is exempt under federal law.
These payments are exempt under the agreement.
3
exempt by + authority

Naming who grants the exemption

By can identify the person or body granting exempt status.

The organisation was exempt by the ministry.
He was officially exempt by the court.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
exempt from
She is exempt from military service.
standard pattern for duties, rules, or requirements that do not apply
exempt under
The fund is exempt under current regulations.
used with laws, regulations, or legal frameworks
exempt by
The group was exempt by the local authority.
names the authority granting the exemption
exempt for
Exempt for tax purposes is possible, but exempt from tax is more natural.
for appears in limited expressions, not as the main standard pattern
exempt in
Exempt in this category refers to a location or context phrase.
in is not usually the selected preposition after exempt

Common mistakes

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

Using for instead of from

From is the normal choice after exempt.

✕ exempt for the fee ✓ exempt from the fee

Confusing under and from

Under refers to a law or regulation; from refers to the obligation itself.

✕ exempt under taxes ✓ exempt from taxes

Using in as the main complement

In usually introduces context rather than the exemption itself.

✓ exempt from restrictions in certain areas

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Employees over 65 are ___ pension contributions.
2. The organisation is exempt ___ the new regulation.
3. The athlete was exempt ___ the committee.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the standard preposition after exempt?

The standard pattern is exempt from.

When do we use exempt under?

Use exempt under when referring to laws, regulations, or legal frameworks.

Can exempt be followed by for?

Only in limited expressions such as for tax purposes. Exempt from is usually more natural.

eager-for-to-in-about, on "early in", "early on" or "early for"? earnest in, with, on, for or at? easy for, on, in, to or with? "economical with" or "economical in"? "ecstatic about" or "ecstatic with"? "effective in", "effective at" or "effective for"? "efficient in" or "efficient at"? elderly in, with, at, of or as? elegant in, with, of, as or to? eligible for, to, in or under? "embarrassed by" or "embarrassed about"?

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