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Prepositions after verbs

brainwash by or brainwash into?

Brainwash is commonly followed by into to describe the result someone is pushed toward. By usually introduces the agent in a passive sentence.

Quick answer

Which preposition is used with brainwash?

Use brainwash someone into + action or belief to describe the result of manipulation. In passive sentences, brainwashed by + person/group names who caused it. Brainwash by is not a normal active-voice pattern.

They were brainwashed by a cult leader.
She tried to brainwash him into joining the movement.
Teenagers can be brainwashed into extreme behaviour online.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
brainwash someone into + action/belief

Showing the result of manipulation

Use into before a noun or -ing form that describes what someone is persuaded to do or believe.

The group brainwashed recruits into obeying every order.
He was brainwashed into thinking the scam was real.
2
be brainwashed by + person/group

Naming the source in passive sentences

Use by in passive structures to identify who did the brainwashing.

The children were brainwashed by propaganda.
She claimed she had been brainwashed by the organisation.
3
brainwash someone with + messages/ideas

Showing the method used

With can introduce repeated messages, media, or ideas used to influence someone.

The campaign brainwashed voters with misleading slogans.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
brainwash someone into something
They brainwashed him into giving away his savings.
Standard pattern for the result or action.
be brainwashed by someone
He was brainwashed by the group.
Standard passive pattern naming the agent.
brainwash by
The phrase is uncommon in active voice.
Usually not used as a direct verb pattern; by normally belongs to a passive clause.
brainwash someone with something
The channel brainwashed viewers with fear-based stories.
Focuses on the method or content used.

Common mistakes

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

Using by for the result

By does not normally introduce the belief or action someone accepts.

✕ They brainwashed him by joining the cult. ✓ They brainwashed him into joining the cult.

Using into after a passive agent

Into expresses a result, not the person responsible.

✕ She was brainwashed into the leader. ✓ She was brainwashed by the leader.

Missing the object after brainwash

Brainwash usually takes a person as its object.

✕ The group brainwashed into violence. ✓ The group brainwashed young members into violence.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The scammer brainwashed victims ___ sending money.
2. He was brainwashed ___ the organisation.
3. The channel brainwashed viewers ___ repeated false stories.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I say brainwash by in an active sentence?

Usually no. English normally uses by only in passive structures such as be brainwashed by someone.

Is brainwash into formal or informal?

It is common in both everyday and formal English when describing manipulation or extreme persuasion.

Can into be followed by a noun or verb?

Yes. You can say brainwash someone into obedience or brainwash someone into believing something.

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