well-received by + people
Showing who reacted positively
Use by to identify the people, group, or organisation that responded well.
The speech was well-received by staff.
well-received: which preposition to use
Well-received is most commonly followed by by, among, or with to show who reacted positively. In and at usually introduce place or event context, not the audience itself.
Quick answer
Common uses of well-received
Use well-received by to name the people who reacted positively. Well-received among and well-received with are also natural for groups or audiences. In and at usually describe where something was well received.
The proposal was well-received by the committee.
Her novels are well-received among younger readers.
The update was well-received with customers.
The film was well-received at the festival.
Her novels are well-received among younger readers.
The update was well-received with customers.
The film was well-received at the festival.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
well-received among + group
Talking about popularity within a group
Among emphasises acceptance within a community or category of people.
The app is well-received among students.
well-received with + audience
Describing success with a type of audience
With is common when discussing customers, readers, voters, or other audiences.
The campaign was well-received with local voters.
well-received at/in + place or event
Giving context of place or setting
At and in usually introduce the location, event, or context where the positive reaction happened.
The documentary was well-received at Cannes.
The policy was well-received in academic circles.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
well-received by
The idea was well-received by the board.
The board reacted positively.
well-received among
The series is well-received among teenagers.
The series is popular within a group.
well-received with
The redesign was well-received with customers.
Customers responded positively.
well-received at
The play was well-received at the festival.
The positive reaction happened at an event or place.
well-received in
The method was well-received in medical schools.
The positive reaction happened within a field, setting, or place.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using in for people instead of context
Use by, among, or with for the audience itself.
✕ The proposal was well-received in the managers. ✓ The proposal was well-received by the managers.Confusing at with the audience
At usually introduces an event or location, not the people reacting.
✕ The song was well-received at young listeners. ✓ The song was well-received with young listeners.Omitting the audience completely in formal writing
Add a clear audience or setting if the context is unclear.
✓ The report was well-received by investors.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The new policy was well-received ___ employees.
2. Her work is well-received ___ scientists.
3. The film was well-received ___ the festival.
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Frequently asked questions
Is well-received by the most common pattern?
Yes. It is the standard way to identify the people or organisation giving a positive reaction.
Can I say well-received with?
Yes. It is natural with audiences such as customers, readers, or voters.
Can well-received in be correct?
Yes, when in refers to a place, field, or context rather than the audience itself.
Related preposition guides
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