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Prepositions after verbs

commit: which preposition to use

The verb 'commit' most commonly takes 'to' when talking about dedication or promises. Other prepositions can appear in different meanings or as separate details in the sentence.

Quick answer

Most common uses of 'commit'

Use 'commit to' for dedication, agreement, or long-term decisions. 'Commit against' is used mainly with crimes directed at people or groups. 'Commit by', 'commit in', and 'commit at' are usually not fixed combinations with the verb and often introduce extra information such as method, place, or time.

She finally committed to the project.
The crime was committed against civilians.
The fraud was committed by a former employee.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
commit to + goal/agreement

Showing dedication or obligation

Use 'commit to' when someone promises, agrees, or dedicates themselves to something.

They committed to a five-year plan.
He is not ready to commit to a long-term contract.
2
commit + crime/offence

Talking about illegal acts

'Commit' can directly take nouns such as crime, murder, fraud, or theft without a preposition.

The group committed fraud over several years.
He was arrested after committing theft online.
3
commit against + person/group

Describing who suffered a crime

Use 'against' after nouns such as crime or violence to show the target of the act.

Violence was committed against local residents.
The offences were committed against children.
4
commit by + method/person

Adding extra information after the verb

'By' is not normally selected by 'commit'. It usually introduces the doer or method in passive structures.

The error was committed by an inexperienced clerk.
The attack was committed by remote access.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
commit to
She committed to the training programme.
promise or dedicate yourself to something
commit against
Crimes were committed against civilians.
shows the target of harmful acts
commit by
The offence was committed by two suspects.
'by' introduces the agent, not a fixed verb-preposition pattern
commit in
The crime was committed in Paris.
'in' usually gives place or context, not a fixed combination with 'commit'
commit at
The theft was committed at night.
'at' usually gives time or place details, not a fixed combination

Common mistakes

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

Using 'commit with' for dedication

Use 'commit to' when talking about promises or dedication.

✕ She committed with the project. ✓ She committed to the project.

Adding a preposition before direct objects

Many common objects follow 'commit' directly.

✕ He committed to fraud. ✓ He committed fraud.

Confusing 'against' and 'to'

'Commit against' is used with harmful acts directed at someone, not with plans or agreements.

✕ They committed against the new policy. ✓ They committed to the new policy.

Treating 'by' as the main pattern

'By' usually introduces the doer in passive sentences.

✕ She committed by the company. ✓ She committed to the company.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. After months of discussion, they committed ___ the merger.
2. The crimes were committed ___ prisoners of war.
3. The fraud was committed ___ a senior manager.

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Frequently asked questions

Is 'commit to' always about promises?

Usually, yes. It often expresses dedication, agreement, or willingness to continue something.

Can I say 'commit in'?

You can use 'in' for place or context, as in 'The crime was committed in London', but it is not a fixed verb-preposition pattern.

Is 'commit against' common?

It appears mainly with crimes, violence, or offences directed at people or groups.

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