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Prepositions after adjectives

United in, at, for, on, or with?

United commonly appears with in, for, on, and with. United at is uncommon after the adjective.

Quick answer

Common patterns with united

Use united in for shared feelings or action, united for for a common goal, united on for agreement about an issue, and united with for partnership. United at is not a usual adjective pattern.

The teams were united in their support.
The group stood united for reform.
The ministers were united on the policy.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
united in + activity/feeling

Sharing an attitude or action

Use united in for common action, purpose, or emotion.

They remained united in difficult times.
The staff were united in opposition to the cuts.
2
united for + goal

Working toward a purpose

Use united for a shared cause or objective.

Citizens marched united for cleaner air.
The parties are united for change.
3
united on + issue

Agreeing about a topic

Use united on to show agreement concerning a matter.

The board is united on the new strategy.
4
united with + person/group

Joining another person or group

Use united with for alliance or cooperation.

Local groups are united with international charities.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
united in
The families were united in grief.
sharing a feeling or action
united for
The campaigners were united for change.
working toward a goal
united on
The members are united on this issue.
in agreement about something
united with
The company is united with local partners.
joined together with others
united at
They were united at the conference.
at introduces a place, not the adjective pattern

Common mistakes

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

Using united at as a fixed pattern

At usually introduces a location rather than following united as its selected preposition.

✕ The parties are united at reform. ✓ The parties are united for reform.

Choosing the wrong meaning

Use on for agreement about a topic, not for a shared goal.

✕ They are united on better wages. ✓ They are united for better wages.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The workers were united ___ their demand for safer conditions.
2. The countries are united ___ the climate agreement.
3. The charity worked united ___ local volunteers.

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Frequently asked questions

Is united at correct?

Usually no as a fixed adjective pattern. At more often introduces a place, as in united at the meeting.

What is the difference between united in and united for?

United in focuses on a shared feeling or action, while united for focuses on a goal.

Can united on and united in both be correct?

Yes, but the meanings differ. United on refers to agreement about an issue, while united in refers to shared participation or feeling.

ubiquitous in, on, across, throughout or for? "ugly in", "ugly for" or "ugly of"? ultimate in, of, for, on or as? "unacceptable to", "unacceptable in" or "unacceptable for"? unaccounted for unaccustomed to or in? unacquainted with unaffected by, in, for or with? "unaffordable for" or "unaffordable to"? unanimous in, on, about, regarding or for? "unattractive to" or "unattractive for"? "unavailable for" or "unavailable to"?

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