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Prepositions after verbs

Construct in or construct by?

Construct usually takes a direct object without a fixed preposition. In and by can appear after the verb, but they normally introduce place, material, or method information.

Quick answer

How do in and by work with construct?

Use construct something directly: "They constructed a bridge." After the verb, in often refers to material or location, while by refers to method or means. Neither is a fixed required preposition.

They constructed a new stadium.
The sculpture was constructed in steel.
The shelter was constructed by hand.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
construct + object

Naming what is built

Construct normally takes a direct object without a following preposition.

Engineers constructed a temporary bridge.
The firm constructed several apartment blocks.
2
construct in + material/place

Describing material or location

In can introduce the material used or the place where something is built.

The monument was constructed in marble.
Several homes were constructed in the valley.
3
construct by + method

Describing the method used

By introduces the means or method of construction.

The wall was constructed by local workers.
The model was constructed by using recycled parts.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
construct + object
They constructed a tunnel.
Standard transitive use.
construct in
The palace was constructed in stone.
In refers to material or location.
construct by
The cabin was constructed by hand.
By refers to method or agent.
build in
The shelves were built in the wall.
A different phrasal pattern with build.

Common mistakes

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

Treating in as required

Construct does not need a preposition before its object.

✕ They constructed in a bridge. ✓ They constructed a bridge.

Using by instead of the direct object

By adds method or agent information, not the thing built.

✕ The company constructed by a factory. ✓ The company constructed a factory.

Confusing material and method

Use in for material and by for method.

✕ The statue was constructed by bronze. ✓ The statue was constructed in bronze.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The workers constructed ___ new railway line.
2. The tower was constructed ___ concrete.
3. The boat was constructed ___ hand.

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Frequently asked questions

Is construct in a fixed expression?

No. In usually introduces extra information such as material or location.

Can construct by be correct?

Yes, when by introduces a method, means, or agent.

What is the difference between construct and build?

Construct is often more formal and technical, while build is more common in everyday English.

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"?

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