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Prepositions after verbs

Depict in, on, as, by, or with?

Depict is most often followed by as to describe a role or identity. In and on usually describe the place where an image appears, not a fixed verb-preposition combination.

Quick answer

Which prepositions are used with depict?

Use depict as to describe how someone or something is represented. Use in or on for the surface or medium where the image appears. By and with can introduce methods or details, but they are not fixed combinations after depict.

The film depicts him as a hero.
The scene is depicted in bright colours.
The map was depicted on the cover.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
depict as + role or identity

Showing representation or character

Use depict as to describe the way someone or something is presented.

The novel depicts the city as dangerous.
The article depicts her as an expert.
2
depict in + medium or style

Showing the form or style of depiction

In can introduce a style, language, colour, or artistic medium.

The battle was depicted in vivid detail.
The characters are depicted in soft pastel tones.
3
depict on + surface

Showing where an image appears

On introduces a surface such as a wall, screen, page, or map.

The symbol was depicted on the flag.
Ancient animals are depicted on the cave walls.
4
depict with + feature

Adding a visible feature or quality

With introduces a feature included in the depiction.

The artist depicted the king with a golden crown.
The character is depicted with long silver hair.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
depict as
The documentary depicts the inventor as a visionary.
Standard pattern for describing representation or identity.
depict in
The scene is depicted in black and white.
In usually introduces style, colour, language, or medium.
depict on
The animal is depicted on the coin.
On refers to the surface where the image appears.
depict by
The artist depicted the storm with sharp lines.
By is not a common fixed preposition after depict for representation. It may appear separately in passive or method expressions.
depict with
The statue depicts the ruler with a sword.
With introduces a feature or object shown in the image.

Common mistakes

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

Using depict as for surfaces

Use on for the place where an image appears.

✕ The emblem was depicted as the wall. ✓ The emblem was depicted on the wall.

Using depict by as a standard pattern

By is not normally the main preposition after depict.

✕ The film depicts the city by a dangerous place. ✓ The film depicts the city as a dangerous place.

Confusing depict as and depict with

As describes identity or interpretation. With adds a visible feature.

✕ The article depicts her with a leader. ✓ The article depicts her as a leader.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The novel depicts the village ___ peaceful and isolated.
2. The figures are depicted ___ the temple walls.
3. The artist depicted the queen ___ a silver necklace.

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Frequently asked questions

Is depict as always necessary?

No. Depict can also take a direct object alone, but depict as is common when describing interpretation or identity.

Can I use depict in for paintings and films?

Yes. In is natural for styles, colours, detail, or artistic forms, such as depicted in oils or depicted in vivid detail.

Is depict by correct English?

It is not a common fixed pattern after depict. In most cases, English uses depict as, depict on, depict in, or depict with instead.

dabble, in, dabble, with "damage to" or "damage by"? dance to, with, on, in or for? "dangle from" or "dangle in"? dare to, for, on, as or at? dash to, into, out, from or on? daydream about, for, in, of or on? "debate in", "debate on" or "debate with"? deceive by, in, into, on or about? "decide on", "decide to" or "decide by"? declare in, by, on, to or as? decline in, by, from, to or for?

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