Prepositions after verbs

Compromise on or compromise by?

Compromise on is the standard expression when people reach agreement after disagreement. Compromise by is possible only when by introduces the method used to compromise.

Quick answer

Should I use compromise on or compromise by?

Use compromise on for the subject or issue being negotiated. Use compromise by only when by explains how someone compromises, not as a fixed expression.

They finally compromised on a price.
We can compromise on the schedule.
She compromised by accepting a shorter contract.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

compromise on + issue

Reaching agreement about something

Use on with topics, decisions, prices, and plans.

The teams compromised on a new deadline.

They refused to compromise on safety standards.

compromise by + action

Explaining the method of compromise

By introduces the action someone takes in order to compromise.

He compromised by lowering his demands.

The company compromised by offering partial refunds.

compromise with + person

Agreeing with another person or group

With introduces the other side in a negotiation.

She refused to compromise with the investors.

The union compromised with management.

See the difference in context

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

Construction

Example

Meaning

compromise on

They compromised on the budget.

Standard pattern for agreement about an issue.

compromise by

He compromised by working fewer hours.

By introduces the method used to reach compromise.

compromise with

The government compromised with opposition leaders.

With identifies the other party in the agreement.

compromise over

They compromised over the final details.

Over is also possible for disputed topics, though on is more common.

Common mistakes

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

Using by as a direct replacement for on

By does not normally introduce the issue being negotiated.

✕ They compromised by the price. ✓ They compromised on the price.

Confusing compromise with weaken

Compromise can also mean damage or weaken in different contexts.

✕ The leak compromised on security. ✓ The leak compromised security.

Forgetting the object after by

By should be followed by an action or method.

✕ She compromised by the proposal. ✓ She compromised by accepting the proposal.

Using on for people

Use with, not on, for the other side in a negotiation.

✕ They compromised on their competitors. ✓ They compromised with their competitors.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The two sides compromised ___ a final amount.

2. She compromised ___ reducing the project scope.

3. The company compromised ___ the union after weeks of talks.

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Frequently asked questions

Is compromise on correct?

Yes. It is the standard expression for reaching agreement about a topic or issue.

Can compromise by be correct?

Yes, when by introduces the method or action used to compromise.

What is the difference between compromise on and compromise with?

Compromise on refers to the issue being negotiated, while compromise with refers to the people or groups involved.

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