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Prepositions after verbs

co-write by or co-write with?

Use co-write with when naming a collaborator. By is not the normal partner after co-write, but it can introduce the author in passive constructions.

Quick answer

Which preposition is correct after co-write?

Use co-write with to talk about collaboration: She co-wrote the article with a colleague. Do not normally say co-write by. However, by can appear separately in passive sentences such as The book was co-written by two historians.

She co-wrote with her former professor.
The screenplay was co-written by three writers.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
co-write with + collaborator

Naming the person you collaborate with

With is the standard preposition after co-write.

He co-wrote with a journalist from Madrid.
They co-wrote with several researchers.
2
be co-written by + author

Using the passive voice

By introduces the agent in passive constructions, not a partner after the verb.

The report was co-written by two engineers.
3
co-write + object

Using co-write without a preposition

The verb can directly take the work being created.

She co-wrote the song last year.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
co-write with
She co-wrote the paper with her advisor.
standard pattern for collaboration
co-write by
Co-write by is not a standard active construction.
nonstandard after co-write
co-written by
The novel was co-written by two sisters.
standard passive structure naming the authors
write with
He writes with several collaborators.
possible broader verb pattern without co-

Common mistakes

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

Using by after co-write in active voice

Use with for the collaborator in active sentences.

✕ She co-wrote by her friend. ✓ She co-wrote with her friend.

Confusing passive and active structures

By belongs in passive constructions.

✕ They co-written by a producer. ✓ The album was co-written by a producer.

Adding an unnecessary preposition

You can use co-write directly with the work itself.

✕ He co-wrote on the script. ✓ He co-wrote the script.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She co-wrote the article ___ a university researcher.
2. The song was co-written ___ two composers.
3. They plan to co-write ___ new textbook.

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Frequently asked questions

Is co-write one word or hyphenated?

Both co-write and cowrite appear, but co-write is widely accepted and clearer in many contexts.

Can I say co-author with instead?

Yes. Co-author with is a common alternative for academic or professional writing.

Do I always need with after co-write?

No. Use with only when naming the collaborator.

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