clog with + substance
Showing what causes blockage
Use with to name the material or items blocking something.
The filter clogged with dust quickly.
Clog with, by, from, in or of?
Clog is most commonly used with with or up with when something blocks a space or system.
Quick answer
Which prepositions are used with clog?
Clog with is the standard pattern for describing what blocks something. Clog by is uncommon but possible in passive structures such as be clogged by mud. From, in, and of are usually part of separate phrases rather than fixed complements after clog.
The drain was clogged with leaves after the storm.
Traffic was clogged by heavy snow all morning.
Her inbox is clogged with spam messages.
The pipes became clogged with grease over time.
Traffic was clogged by heavy snow all morning.
Her inbox is clogged with spam messages.
The pipes became clogged with grease over time.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
be clogged by + cause
Focusing on the cause
By appears mainly in passive structures to identify the cause of blockage.
The road was clogged by traffic during the parade.
clog up with + substance
Emphasizing blockage
Clog up with is an informal variant emphasizing complete blockage.
The sink clogged up with hair again.
clog in + place
Adding location information
In usually introduces location and is not the complement selected by clog.
The pipes clogged in the basement last winter.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
clog with
The machine clogged with paper.
standard pattern for blockage
clog by
The tunnel was clogged by smoke.
passive structure showing the cause
clog from
The engine failed from lack of oil.
from is not normally used directly after clog
clog in
The drain clogged in cold weather.
in introduces circumstances or location
clog of
The pipes were clogged with mud.
of is not a standard complement after clog
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using of after clog
English normally uses with, not of, for the blocking substance.
✕ The pipe clogged of dirt. ✓ The pipe clogged with dirt.Using from as a direct complement
From is generally unnatural directly after clog.
✕ The sink clogged from hair. ✓ The sink clogged with hair.Confusing active and passive forms
By usually appears in passive constructions.
✕ Traffic clogged by snow. ✓ Traffic was clogged by snow.Omitting the cause after with
With should be followed by the blocking material.
✕ The drain clogged with. ✓ The drain clogged with leaves.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The shower drain clogged ___ soap and hair.
2. The highway was clogged ___ trucks.
3. The pipes clogged ___ the basement during winter.
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Frequently asked questions
Is clog with the most common pattern?
Yes. English usually uses clog with to show what blocks something.
Can I use clog up with?
Yes. Clog up with is a common informal variant.
Why is clog from unusual?
English normally uses with for the blocking substance, not from.
Related preposition guides
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