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Prepositions after adjectives

Inspired by, with, for, from or of?

Inspired by is the standard pattern for sources of ideas or motivation. Other prepositions have narrower uses.

Quick answer

Which preposition follows inspired?

Use inspired by for the source of an idea, feeling, or design. Inspired by is far more common than other combinations. Inspired with may describe a feeling someone is filled with.

The novel was inspired by real events.
She felt inspired by her teacher.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
inspired by + source

Showing influence or motivation

Use by for the person, event, or thing that creates inspiration.

The painting was inspired by nature.
2
inspired with + feeling

Filled with a feeling

With appears mainly before emotions or qualities.

The speech left us inspired with hope.
3
inspired from + source

Alternative source expression

Inspired from appears occasionally but is less standard than inspired by.

The melody was loosely inspired from folk music.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
inspired by
The design was inspired by Japanese art.
standard for influence or source
inspired with
The team returned inspired with confidence.
filled with a feeling or quality
inspired for
This combination is uncommon.
not the normal choice after inspired
inspired from
The film was inspired from a short story.
used by some speakers but less standard than by
inspired of
This pattern is nonstandard.
not idiomatic English

Common mistakes

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

Using of after inspired

Of is not normally used after inspired.

✕ The book was inspired of history. ✓ The book was inspired by history.

Choosing from instead of by

By is usually preferred for sources of inspiration.

✕ She was inspired from her grandmother. ✓ She was inspired by her grandmother.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The project was inspired ___ local traditions.
2. They returned inspired ___ optimism.
3. Which is the most standard phrasing?

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Frequently asked questions

Is inspired by the most common pattern?

Yes. It is the standard way to mention a source of inspiration.

Can I use inspired with?

Yes, mainly with feelings or qualities such as hope or confidence.

Is inspired of correct?

No. It is generally nonstandard.

ideal-for-in-as-at, from "identical to" or "identical with"? identifiable by, as, with, in or to? "idle for" or "idle in"? ignorant of, about, to, in or on? "illegal in" or "illegal for"? illustrative of, in, rather or for? ill with, in, for, at or of? "immune to" or "immune from"? "impatient with" or "impatient for"? "imperative for" or "imperative to"? impervious to, from or in?

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