Sign In Get Started
Prepositions after verbs

“Cultivate in” or “cultivate by” with cultivate

Cultivate usually takes a direct object without a fixed preposition. Phrases with in or by are normally separate details about place or method, not standard verb patterns.

Quick answer

How to use cultivate

Cultivate is normally followed directly by the thing being developed or grown: cultivate crops, cultivate relationships, cultivate patience. “Cultivate in” and “cultivate by” are not common fixed combinations. However, in and by can appear as separate adjuncts showing place or method.

cultivate strong relationships with clients.
Farmers cultivate rice in flooded fields.
The program cultivates creativity by encouraging experimentation.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
cultivate + thing

Develop or grow something

Use cultivate directly before the thing being developed, improved, or grown.

cultivate patience through practice.
They hope to cultivate new markets overseas.
2
cultivate + crop

Grow plants or crops

Cultivate commonly refers to preparing land and growing crops.

The region cultivates wheat for export.
Small farms cultivate vegetables year-round.
3
cultivate in + place

Add a location after the main verb

In can introduce the place where cultivation happens. It is not a fixed verb-preposition pattern.

They cultivate herbs in rooftop gardens.
The community cultivates rice in narrow terraces.
4
cultivate by + method

Describe a method or means

By can explain how something is cultivated or developed.

The school cultivates curiosity by asking open questions.
She cultivated trust by listening carefully.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
cultivate something
The company cultivates long-term partnerships.
Standard pattern for developing or growing something.
cultivate in + place
They cultivate flowers in greenhouses.
In introduces the location, not a special verb pattern.
cultivate by + method
He cultivated discipline by following a strict routine.
By introduces the method used.
cultivate with + tool or substance
Farmers cultivated the soil with simple tools.
Useful alternative for tools or materials used in cultivation.

Common mistakes

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

Adding an unnecessary preposition

Cultivate usually takes a direct object without in or by immediately after the verb.

✕ She cultivates in patience. ✓ She cultivates patience.

Confusing place with verb pattern

Use in for location details, not as the main complement of cultivate.

✕ They cultivate in. ✓ They cultivate crops in dry areas.

Using by without a method

By should introduce a clear action or means.

✕ The program cultivates by students. ✓ The program cultivates teamwork by assigning group projects.

Omitting the object

Cultivate generally needs an object.

✕ The farmers cultivate. ✓ The farmers cultivate corn.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The workshop aims to ___ creativity among teenagers.
2. They cultivate grapes ___ steep hillsides.
3. She cultivated confidence ___ practising every day.

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

Does cultivate need a preposition?

Usually no. Cultivate is commonly followed directly by its object.

Can I say cultivate in?

Yes, when in introduces a place: cultivate rice in wetlands. It is not a fixed verb-preposition combination.

Can I say cultivate by?

Yes, when by explains a method: cultivate trust by communicating clearly.

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