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Preposition after verb

Adopt by or adopt in?

Adopt usually does not take a preposition directly after it. By often appears in passive sentences to name the agent, while in usually introduces a place, field, or time context.

Quick answer

How to use adopt with by and in

Use adopt directly with an object: adopt a child, adopt a policy. In passive sentences, by can introduce the person or group that adopted something. In is not normally selected by adopt, but it can introduce context such as a place or field.

The policy was adopted by the committee.
Several schools adopted the new system.
The method was widely adopted in Europe.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
adopt + object

Using adopt with a direct object

Adopt commonly takes a noun directly without a preposition.

They decided to adopt a child.
The company adopted new rules last year.
2
adopted by + agent

Naming who adopted something

In passive voice, by introduces the person or organisation responsible for the adoption.

The law was adopted by parliament.
The proposal was adopted by the board unanimously.
3
adopt in + place/field

Showing where or in what area something is adopted

In is an adjunct of place, time, or field, not a fixed preposition after adopt.

The practice was widely adopted in schools.
Electric buses are being adopted in major cities.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
adopt + object
They adopted a rescue dog.
Standard structure with a direct object.
adopted by + agent
The measure was adopted by voters.
Passive structure naming the adopter.
adopted in + place
The system was adopted in Canada.
In shows location or context, not a required preposition.

Common mistakes

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

Adding an unnecessary preposition

Adopt usually takes a direct object without a preposition.

✕ They adopted to a new policy. ✓ They adopted a new policy.

Confusing by with active voice

Use by mainly in passive constructions.

✕ The committee adopted by the rule. ✓ The committee adopted the rule.

Treating in as a fixed partner

In adds context such as place or field.

✕ We adopted in the proposal. ✓ We adopted the proposal.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The plan was adopted ___ the council.
2. Many hospitals adopted ___ new procedure.
3. The technology was adopted ___ several countries.

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Frequently asked questions

Do we say adopt by?

Only in passive structures such as adopted by the committee.

Is adopt in correct?

It can be correct when in introduces place or context, as in adopted in schools.

Does adopt need a preposition?

Usually no. Adopt commonly takes a direct object.

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