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Prepositions after adjectives

Unmatched in or unmatched by?

Use unmatched in before a quality or field, and unmatched by before a competitor or comparison group.

Quick answer

Which preposition fits unmatched?

Use unmatched in to describe excellence in a quality or area: unmatched in speed. Use unmatched by to say that nobody or nothing equals it: unmatched by any rival.

The company is unmatched in innovation.
Her record remains unmatched by any player.
The hotel offers comfort unmatched by competitors.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
unmatched in + quality or field

Describing excellence in an area

Use in before qualities, skills, or fields where someone or something stands out.

The region is unmatched in natural beauty.
Their team is unmatched in customer service.
2
unmatched by + competitor or comparison

Showing that nobody equals something

Use by before the person, group, or thing that cannot equal the subject.

Its durability is unmatched by rival brands.
Her achievement was unmatched by anyone in the field.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
unmatched in
The athlete is unmatched in endurance.
best within a quality or skill area
unmatched by
The design is unmatched by competitors.
not equalled by others
unequalled in
The city is unequalled in cultural diversity.
formal synonym for unmatched in
unmatched with
The phrase unmatched with is usually nonstandard in this meaning.
not an idiomatic alternative here

Common mistakes

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

Using unmatched by before a quality

Use in before qualities or fields.

✕ The product is unmatched by reliability. ✓ The product is unmatched in reliability.

Using unmatched in before competitors

Use by when naming those who cannot equal something.

✕ Her speed is unmatched in other runners. ✓ Her speed is unmatched by other runners.

Using unmatched with as a comparison pattern

With is not the normal preposition after unmatched in this meaning.

✕ The software is unmatched with competitors. ✓ The software is unmatched by competitors.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The brand is unmatched ___ quality.
2. His record remains unmatched ___ any other athlete.
3. The restaurant is unmatched ___ customer care.

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Frequently asked questions

What does unmatched in mean?

It means exceptionally good in a quality, skill, or area.

When do I use unmatched by?

Use it when comparing something with competitors or other people that cannot equal it.

Is unmatched with correct?

It is generally nonstandard in this meaning. Use unmatched in or unmatched by instead.

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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