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Prepositions after verbs

Appreciate by, for, or in

Appreciate usually does not take these prepositions directly. Other structures are more natural.

Quick answer

Natural patterns with appreciate

We usually say appreciate something or appreciate someone for something. By and in are not standard direct patterns after appreciate.

I appreciate your help
We appreciate her for her honesty.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
appreciate + noun

Valuing something

The verb often takes a direct object without a preposition.

They appreciate your support
2
appreciate someone for + quality/action

Why do you value someone?

For introduces the reason.

I appreciate him for his patience.
3
be appreciated by + people

Who values something?

By appears in passive sentences.

Her work is appreciated by clients.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
appreciate by
The gesture was appreciated by everyone.
by introduces the people showing appreciation in a passive structure
appreciate for
We appreciate you for your effort.
less common but acceptable for giving a reason
appreciate in
I appreciate the detail in the report.
in belongs to the noun phrase, not the verb pattern

Common mistakes

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

Adding unnecessary prepositions

Appreciate often takes a direct object.

✕ I appreciate for your help. ✓ I appreciate your help.

Using appreciate in as a fixed pattern

In usually relates to another noun, not directly to appreciate.

✕ She appreciates in art. ✓ She appreciates art.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. I appreciate ___ advice.
2. We appreciate her ___ her honesty.
3. His work is appreciated ___ customers.

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Frequently asked questions

Is appreciate for correct?

It can be correct when giving a reason, especially with a person: 'I appreciate you for your support.'

Does appreciate need a preposition?

Usually no. Say 'I appreciate your help,' not 'appreciate for your help.'

When is by used with appreciate?

Mostly in passive structures such as 'appreciated by the team.'

abandon, by, abandon, in "abduct by", "abduct in" or "abduct from"? abide by, in, with, to or on? "abolish in" or "abolish by"? "abound in" or "abound with"? "absorb by", "absorb into" or "absorb in"? "accelerate by", "accelerate to" or "accelerate in"? accentuate by, with, in or under? accept by, in, as, for or into? "accommodate in", "accommodate for" or "accommodate to"? "accomplish by" or "accomplish in"? "accord to" or "accord with"?

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