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Prepositions after verbs

Cripple by, in, from, after or because?

The verb 'cripple' is commonly used in passive structures with 'by'. Other prepositions usually introduce causes, situations, or time expressions.

Quick answer

How to use 'cripple' with prepositions

Use 'crippled by' for the cause of severe damage or limitation. 'Crippled from' is also possible when describing the source of a condition. 'In', 'after', and 'because' usually introduce separate circumstances rather than fixed verb patterns.

crippled by debt
crippled from injuries
The company was crippled in the recession
He struggled after the accident that crippled him

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
crippled by + cause

Showing what caused severe damage

Use 'crippled by' in passive constructions to identify the cause of damage or limitation.

The business was crippled by rising costs
The region was crippled by flooding
2
crippled from + condition or injury

Describing the source of a lasting condition

Use 'crippled from' for injuries, illness, or experiences that caused a condition.

He was crippled from a childhood illness
She remained crippled from the accident
3
crippled in + context

Describing the situation affected

'In' usually introduces the area or situation where the effect is seen, not a fixed pattern selected by the verb.

Tourism was crippled in rural areas
The team was crippled in the final minutes

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
crippled by
The town was crippled by the storm.
shows the direct cause of severe damage
crippled in
Production was crippled in several factories.
'In' introduces the affected setting or context
crippled from
He was crippled from polio.
shows the source of a physical condition
crippled after
The industry collapsed after the strike crippled supply chains.
'After' introduces time, not a fixed verb pattern
crippled because
The project failed because funding was crippled.
'Because' introduces a clause explaining reason

Common mistakes

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

Using 'because' directly after 'crippled'

Use 'by' or a full clause with 'because'.

✕ The city was crippled because heavy snow. ✓ The city was crippled by heavy snow.

Confusing cause and context

Use 'by' for the cause and 'in' for the affected area or situation.

✕ The economy was crippled in inflation. ✓ The economy was crippled by inflation.

Using 'after' as a direct complement

'After' usually introduces a time relationship, not the cause itself.

✕ He was crippled after polio. ✓ He was crippled from polio.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The transport system was ___ the storm.
2. She was permanently ___ the disease.
3. Several services were ___ remote areas.

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Frequently asked questions

Is 'crippled by' the standard pattern?

Yes. It is the most common way to express the cause of severe damage or limitation.

Can I use 'crippled from'?

Yes, especially for injuries or illnesses that caused a lasting condition.

Is 'crippled because' natural English?

Not directly after the verb. Use 'crippled by' or a complete clause with 'because'.

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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