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Prepositions after adjectives

extinct + preposition

Extinct is often followed by in when referring to a place or period. Other prepositions usually express time limits or location rather than acting as fixed complements.

Quick answer

Which prepositions are used with extinct?

Extinct in is common for places, fields, or periods. Extinct by and extinct within can refer to deadlines or time frames. Extinct at is mainly used with locations or ages. Extinct for is generally not used as a normal complement after extinct.

Wolves became extinct in the region.
Some experts fear the species will be extinct by 2050.
Several plants are now extinct within this ecosystem.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
extinct in + place/period

Talking about extinction in an area or era

Use extinct in for a geographical area, habitat, or historical period.

The bird is extinct in the wild.
Large predators became extinct in many islands.
2
extinct by + time

Giving a deadline or predicted time

Use extinct by with a date or point in time.

The language may be extinct by the end of the century.
Several fish species could be extinct by 2100.
3
extinct within + area/group

Limiting extinction to a specific environment

Within emphasises that extinction happened inside a defined space or population.

The insect is nearly extinct within the reserve.
The tradition became extinct within a generation.
4
extinct at + location/age

Referring to a point or stage

At can appear with extinct when referring to a location or stage, though it is less common.

The species was already extinct at that site.
Many dialects are extinct at an early stage of documentation.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
extinct in
The animal is extinct in Europe.
Standard for extinction within a place or region.
extinct by
Scientists warn it could be extinct by 2080.
Used for a deadline or future point in time.
extinct for
Extinct for several years is not a normal English pattern.
English usually says extinct for several years only in rare contextual uses, not as a standard complement.
extinct within
The species is extinct within this habitat.
Emphasises a limited area or group.
extinct at
The bird is extinct at that location.
Possible when referring to a site or point.

Common mistakes

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

Using extinct for as the main pattern

For is not the usual preposition directly after extinct.

✕ The species is extinct for the island. ✓ The species is extinct on the island.

Confusing extinct in and extinct by

In refers to place or context, while by refers to time.

✕ The species became extinct by the forest. ✓ The species became extinct in the forest.

Using extinct at for large regions

At works better for points or sites than broad areas.

✕ The animal is extinct at Asia. ✓ The animal is extinct in Asia.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The tiger is extinct ___ this region.
2. Many experts fear the species will be extinct ___ 2100.
3. Which phrase is least standard?

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Frequently asked questions

Can extinct be followed by in?

Yes. Extinct in is very common for regions, habitats, and historical periods.

Is extinct by correct?

Yes. It is used with times or dates, especially predictions about the future.

Can I say extinct for many years?

You can sometimes use for with a time expression after extinct, but it is not the main adjective-preposition pattern.

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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