Sign In Get Started
Prepositions after verbs

Conquer by, in, during, with, or into?

Conquer is usually used without a following preposition. Nearby prepositions such as by, during, and with often introduce method, time, or means rather than forming a fixed verb pattern.

Quick answer

Which prepositions work with conquer?

Conquer normally takes a direct object: conquer a country, conquer fear. Conquer by, conquer in, and conquer into are not standard fixed combinations. By, during, and with can appear as separate adjuncts showing method, time, or means.

The army conquered the city in two days.
She conquered her fear of flying.
The region was conquered by a rival empire.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
conquer + place/problem

Defeating or overcoming something

Conquer usually takes a direct object without a preposition.

They conquered the territory after a long war.
He finally conquered his anxiety before the interview.
2
be conquered by + agent

Naming who defeated something

In passive sentences, by introduces the conqueror.

The kingdom was conquered by foreign forces.
The city was conquered by the invading army.
3
conquer with + tool/method

Showing means or strategy

With can introduce the method or quality used to achieve victory.

She conquered the market with innovative products.
The team conquered their rivals with disciplined defence.
4
conquer during + period

Adding a time expression

During is a time adjunct, not a fixed partner of conquer.

The empire expanded and conquered new lands during the 15th century.
They conquered the region during the conflict.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
conquer by
The fortress was conquered by enemy troops.
by introduces the conqueror in a passive sentence
conquer in
The army conquered the region in three months.
in usually introduces a time period, not a fixed verb pattern
conquer during
They conquered several cities during the campaign.
during adds time information
conquer with
She conquered the challenge with patience.
with introduces means or method
conquer into
They conquered the city and turned it into a capital.
into does not normally follow conquer directly

Common mistakes

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

Adding an unnecessary preposition

Conquer usually takes a direct object.

✕ They conquered into the territory. ✓ They conquered the territory.

Treating in as a fixed partner

In often introduces time or place information, not a required preposition after conquer.

✕ The empire conquered in the enemy. ✓ The empire conquered the enemy.

Using by in active sentences incorrectly

By normally appears in passive structures.

✕ They conquered by advanced weapons. ✓ They conquered the city with advanced weapons.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The rebels conquered the capital ___ a short battle.
2. The territory was conquered ___ a neighbouring empire.
3. She conquered her fear ___ determination.

Check your sentence in context

Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

Free to try · No signup required

Frequently asked questions

Do we usually use a preposition after conquer?

No. Conquer usually takes a direct object such as conquer a country or conquer fear.

Is conquer into correct?

Not as a normal verb-preposition combination. Into usually belongs to another part of the sentence, such as turn into.

Can I use conquer with for methods?

Yes. With can introduce the means used to achieve success or victory.

calculate, by, calculate, in, calculate, from "call for" or "call on"? "campaign for" or "campaign against"? cancel by, due, at, in or for? capitulate to, in, like, by or after? captivate by, for, with, from or in? "capture by" or "capture in"? "care about" or "care for"? carry with, by, in, to or into? carve into, out, in, on or with? cast in, into, for, by or on? "catch in", "catch by" or "catch on"?

Write with confidence in Linguix

Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.

Create a free account