cherish + noun
Valuing something deeply
Cherish usually takes a direct object without a preposition.
He cherishes his independence.
Cherish by or cherish for?
Cherish is usually a direct transitive verb. The combinations cherish by and cherish for are generally not standard as fixed verb-preposition patterns.
Quick answer
Does cherish take by or for?
Usually no. In standard English, cherish is followed directly by a noun object: cherish memories, cherish friendship, cherish traditions. By and for may appear later in the sentence as separate phrases, but they are not normal prepositions selected by cherish.
She will always cherish those letters.
We cherish our time together deeply.
The community cherishes local traditions.
We cherish our time together deeply.
The community cherishes local traditions.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
cherish + memory or relationship
Keeping positive feelings over time
Cherish is common with memories, moments, values, and relationships.
They cherish their friendship greatly.
cherished by + person
Using cherish in the passive voice
By can appear in passive structures to name who values something.
The tradition is cherished by local families.
cherished for + quality
Giving a reason in passive descriptions
For can appear after cherished in passive descriptions meaning valued because of something.
She is cherished for her kindness by the whole team.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
cherish by
The phrase cherish by is not a standard active verb pattern.
Use cherish something, or use cherished by in passive sentences.
cherish for
The phrase cherish for is not a standard active verb pattern.
Use cherish something, or use cherished for in passive descriptions.
cherish + noun
I cherish our conversations.
Standard active pattern meaning value deeply.
cherished by
The park is cherished by residents.
Passive form naming who values something.
cherished for
He is cherished for his honesty.
Passive form giving the reason for appreciation.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Adding an unnecessary preposition
Cherish normally takes a direct object.
✕ She cherishes for her childhood memories. ✓ She cherishes her childhood memories.Using cherish by in an active sentence
By is natural mainly in passive constructions.
✕ They cherish by their grandparents the old stories. ✓ They cherish the old stories from their grandparents.Confusing active and passive patterns
Cherished by and cherished for are passive adjective-like patterns.
✕ I cherish by my colleagues. ✓ I am cherished by my colleagues.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. We cherish ___ family traditions.
2. The teacher is cherished ___ her students.
3. He is cherished ___ his patience and generosity.
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Frequently asked questions
Is cherish by correct English?
Not as a normal active verb pattern. By is mainly used in passive forms such as cherished by many people.
Can cherish for ever be correct?
Yes, if for is part of a time phrase, not directly linked to cherish. Example: I will cherish this memory for ever.
What words commonly follow cherish?
Common objects include memories, relationships, hopes, traditions, values, and moments.
Related preposition guides
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