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Preposition after verb

Audition for, with, before, on or at?

Audition for is the standard pattern when trying to get a role, place, or position. Other prepositions may introduce people, locations, or material connected to the audition.

Quick answer

Use audition for for roles and positions

Use audition for when someone tries to get a role, show, orchestra position, or school place. Audition with, before, on, and at can appear in related contexts but usually introduce other details, not the main target.

She plans to audition for the lead role
Hundreds of singers auditioned for the choir
He will audition for drama school next month

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
audition for + role

Trying to get a part or position

This is the most common pattern with audition.

They auditioned for the television series
2
audition with + person

Performing together or using accompaniment

With may introduce a partner, coach, or musician.

She auditioned with a pianist
3
audition before + judges

Performing in front of decision-makers

Before introduces the audience or panel.

The dancers auditioned before the committee
4
audition at + place

Giving the location of an audition

At introduces the venue or institution.

He auditioned at the national theatre

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
audition for
Maria auditioned for the school musical.
Standard pattern for trying to get a role or place.
audition with
He auditioned with his jazz band.
With introduces companions or accompaniment.
audition before
The actors auditioned before three directors.
Before introduces the judging audience.
audition on
She auditioned on violin.
On can introduce an instrument in some contexts.
audition at
We auditioned at a studio in London.
At introduces the place of the audition.

Common mistakes

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

Using the wrong preposition for a role

Use audition for when applying for a role or position.

✕ She auditioned at the lead role. ✓ She auditioned for the lead role.

Confusing place and purpose

At gives a location, while for gives the target role.

✕ They auditioned for the theatre downtown. ✓ They auditioned at the theatre downtown.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. He auditioned ___ the role of Hamlet.
2. The singer auditioned ___ a live band.
3. We auditioned ___ the arts academy last week.

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Frequently asked questions

What preposition usually follows audition?

For is the standard choice when someone tries to get a role or place.

Can audition be used without a preposition?

Yes. You can say The actors auditioned yesterday when the role is already understood.

What does audition before mean?

It means perform in front of judges, directors, or another decision-making group.

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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