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Prepositions after verbs

"Criticize for" or "criticize by"?

The standard pattern is 'criticize someone for something'. 'By' is not normally used after 'criticize' to introduce the reason for criticism.

Quick answer

Correct preposition after 'criticize'

Use 'criticize for' to say why someone or something is criticized. 'Criticize by' is not a standard pattern for reasons, although 'by' may appear separately in passive sentences.

criticized him for arriving late
criticized the policy for its cost
The report was criticized by experts
criticized her for ignoring the warning

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
criticize someone for + action

Giving the reason for criticism

Use 'criticize for' to explain what a person did wrong.

They criticized him for shouting
She was criticized for missing the deadline
2
criticize something for + quality

Pointing out a negative feature

Use 'criticize for' with products, plans, or ideas to mention a fault.

The app was criticized for poor security
The proposal was criticized for its complexity
3
criticized by + person or group

Naming who gave the criticism

Use 'by' in passive constructions to identify the critic, not the reason.

The article was criticized by readers
He was criticized by the committee

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
criticize for
She criticized him for lying.
standard pattern giving the reason for criticism
criticize by
The plan was criticized by analysts.
passive structure naming who criticized something
criticize someone
They criticized the manager.
direct object without stating the reason
criticize as
The film was criticized as unrealistic.
describe how something is judged

Common mistakes

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

Using 'by' for the reason

Use 'for' to explain the cause of criticism.

✕ They criticized him by his behaviour. ✓ They criticized him for his behaviour.

Confusing passive and active structures

'By' identifies the critic in passive sentences.

✕ She criticized by being rude. ✓ She was criticized for being rude.

Omitting the object unnecessarily

When the reason is important, include 'for' plus the action or quality.

✓ The company was criticized for poor communication.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The athlete was criticized ___ breaking the rules.
2. The report was criticized ___ several economists.
3. Many users criticized the software ___ its slow speed.

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Frequently asked questions

Is 'criticize by' ever correct?

Yes, but only in passive constructions such as 'criticized by experts'.

Can I say 'criticize someone about something'?

It is possible in some contexts, but 'criticize someone for something' is more standard and direct.

What comes after 'criticize for'?

Usually a noun phrase or an -ing form, such as 'for lateness' or 'for arriving late'.

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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