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Preposition after verb

Betray by, in, to, at or for?

Betray usually takes a direct object. Some prepositions appear in specific structures, while others are uncommon or incorrect after the verb.

Quick answer

Which prepositions are used with betray?

Betray is usually followed directly by an object: betray a friend, betray trust. Betray by and betray for can appear in specific meanings, while betray to often means reveal to an enemy or authority. Betray at is not standard after betray.

He betrayed his closest friend.
She betrayed by her expression that she was nervous.
The spy betrayed secrets to the enemy.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
betray + person/thing

Showing disloyalty

The most common pattern uses a direct object with no preposition.

They betrayed their allies.
2
betray by + action/sign

Showing something unintentionally

Betray by is used when an action or expression reveals a feeling or fact.

He was betrayed by his nervous smile.
3
betray to + person/group

Revealing information

Use betray to when delivering someone or information into another person's hands.

The guard betrayed the plan to the rebels.
4
betray for + reward/cause

Exchanging loyalty for gain

Betray for can describe the reason or reward connected with betrayal.

He betrayed his partners for money.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
betray by
She was betrayed by her voice.
A sign or action reveals something unintentionally.
betray in
He betrayed in the meeting.
Not a standard pattern after betray; in may only introduce a separate place or situation.
betray to
The official betrayed the documents to a rival state.
Reveal or hand over to someone.
betray at
They betrayed at the border.
Not standard after betray; at can only introduce location.
betray for
He betrayed his country for power.
Show the motive or reward connected with betrayal.

Common mistakes

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

Adding unnecessary prepositions

Betray usually takes a direct object without a preposition.

✕ She betrayed to her friend. ✓ She betrayed her friend.

Using betray at as a verb pattern

At does not normally follow betray directly.

✕ He betrayed at his teammates. ✓ He betrayed his teammates.

Confusing betray by with passive voice

Betrayed by often describes what revealed something.

✕ She betrayed by fear. ✓ She was betrayed by fear.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. He betrayed his colleagues ___ money.
2. Her expression betrayed ___ her anxiety.
3. Choose the standard sentence.

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Frequently asked questions

Does betray usually need a preposition?

No. It most often takes a direct object, such as betray a friend or betray trust.

What does betrayed by mean?

It means that a sign, expression, or action revealed something unintentionally.

Is betray at correct English?

No. At is not a standard preposition directly after betray.

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