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Prepositions after verbs

Block by, from, in, for or with

Block is commonly used as block from to prevent an action and blocked by to name an obstacle or cause. Other prepositions usually have separate meanings.

Quick answer

Use block from and blocked by

Use block from when preventing someone from doing something: The app blocks users from downloading files. Use blocked by when something physically or practically stops movement or progress.

The wall blocked by fallen trees was finally cleared.
The software blocks users from accessing the site.
Traffic was blocked by heavy snow.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
block someone from + action

Preventing an action

Use block from plus a noun or -ing form to describe prevention.

The filter blocked children from viewing the content.
Injuries blocked her from competing.
2
blocked by + obstacle

Naming what causes obstruction

Use blocked by for physical or figurative obstacles.

The road was blocked by a truck.
Progress was blocked by legal disputes.
3
block with + material

Filling or obstructing with something

Use with to mention the material or object causing the blockage.

They blocked the pipe with cloth.
She blocked the light with a curtain.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
block by
The entrance was blocked by debris.
by is natural in passive structures naming the obstacle
block from
The rules block employees from sharing data.
standard pattern for preventing an action
block in
Snow blocked us in for two days.
in forms a phrasal verb meaning prevent from leaving
block for
They blocked out time for meetings.
for does not usually follow block directly in this sense
block with
He blocked the hole with cement.
with introduces the material or tool used to obstruct

Common mistakes

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

Leaving out from after prevent-type meanings

Use from before an action or activity.

✕ The guard blocked visitors entering. ✓ The guard blocked visitors from entering.

Using by in an active structure

Blocked by is usually passive.

✕ They blocked by traffic. ✓ They were blocked by traffic.

Confusing block in and block from

Block in means trap inside, while block from means prevent an action.

✕ The storm blocked us from the house. ✓ The storm blocked us in the house.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The software blocks users ___ changing the settings.
2. The road was blocked ___ a fallen tree.
3. They blocked the window ___ cardboard.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between blocked by and blocked with?

Blocked by names the obstacle or cause, while blocked with names the material filling or obstructing something.

Can block in be correct?

Yes. Block in is a phrasal verb meaning prevent someone or something from getting out.

Do I always need from after block?

No. Use from mainly when you mean preventing an action.

back-by-away-out-in, up backfire on, in, as, at or with? backtrack on, to, in, after or by? "baffle by" or "baffle as"? "bake in" or "bake for"? balance by, in, on, with or between? ban from, in, for, by or on? "bang on" or "bang for"? "banish from" or "banish to"? baptize in, by, into, with or on? "bargain for" or "bargain with"? "bark at" or "bark in"?

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