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Prepositions after verbs

Cover by, cover with, or cover in?

Use 'cover with' and 'cover in' when describing what is on a surface. 'Covered by' is common in passive structures showing the agent or source of coverage.

Quick answer

How do you use 'cover' with prepositions?

Use 'cover with' for the material or thing spread over something. 'Cover in' is also common, especially for substances covering a surface. 'Covered by' usually appears in passive constructions.

The table was covered with books.
The road was covered in snow.
The walls were covered by ivy.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
cover with + material

Naming what covers a surface

Use 'cover with' for objects, substances, or decorations placed over something.

She covered the cake with chocolate.
They covered the floor with plastic sheets.
2
cover in + substance

Describing a surface full of something

Use 'cover in' especially for dirt, snow, paint, or similar substances spread across a surface.

His boots were covered in mud.
The hills were covered in mist.
3
covered by + agent/source

Showing what does the covering

Use 'covered by' in passive sentences to identify the thing that creates the cover.

The path was covered by fallen leaves.
The damage was covered by insurance.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
cover with
She covered the walls with posters.
place something over a surface
cover in
The child was covered in paint.
completely full of a substance
covered by
The field was covered by snow.
passive structure showing what creates the cover
cover over
He covered over the hole with soil.
completely hide or close something

Common mistakes

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

Using 'cover by' in active sentences

In active use, English normally uses 'cover with' rather than 'cover by'.

✕ She covered the cake by cream. ✓ She covered the cake with cream.

Confusing 'with' and 'in'

'With' focuses on what is added; 'in' often describes a complete surface condition.

✕ The road was covered with mud from head to toe. ✓ The road was covered in mud.

Missing the passive structure with 'by'

'Covered by' is usually passive.

✕ They covered by blankets the chairs. ✓ The chairs were covered by blankets.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The mountain was covered ___ snow.
2. She covered the bread ___ butter.
3. The repairs are covered ___ insurance.

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Frequently asked questions

Is 'covered in' informal?

No. It is common and natural in both spoken and written English.

Can I say 'cover by paint'?

Not usually in active sentences. Say 'cover with paint' or 'be covered by paint'.

What is the difference between 'covered with' and 'covered in'?

'Covered with' focuses on the added material, while 'covered in' often emphasizes that the whole surface is full of something.

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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