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Prepositions after verbs

Disable by or disable in?

Disable is not normally followed by a fixed preposition. In passive sentences, by introduces the agent. In can describe location or context, not a standard verb-preposition pattern.

Quick answer

How to use disable with prepositions

Use disable without a fixed preposition: The update disabled the feature. In passive structures, use by to name the cause or agent: The account was disabled by the administrator. Disable in is usually not a fixed combination; in normally introduces a place or situation.

The security system was disabled by a technician.
The option was disabled in the mobile app.
A software bug disabled the camera.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
disable + object

Saying what becomes inactive

Disable usually takes a direct object without a preposition.

disable notifications
disabled the account
2
disabled by + agent/cause

Naming who or what caused the disabling

In passive voice, by introduces the person, tool, or event responsible.

The firewall was disabled by malware.
The feature was disabled by default.
3
disabled in + place/system

Showing location or context

In is not selected by disable itself. It introduces the place, application, or situation where something is disabled.

Comments are disabled in this forum.
The setting is disabled in guest mode.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
disable by
The alarm was disabled by the thief.
Standard in passive voice to show the agent or cause.
disable in
Voice chat is disabled in the classroom app.
In introduces the context or location where something is disabled.
disable something
Please disable the timer.
The most common active structure without a preposition.

Common mistakes

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

Using by after an active verb

By normally appears in passive structures, not directly after an active disable.

✕ They disabled by the system. ✓ They disabled the system.

Treating in as a fixed partner of disable

In usually adds location or context, not a required preposition.

✕ The company disabled in the feature. ✓ The company disabled the feature.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The account was disabled ___ an administrator.
2. Notifications are disabled ___ silent mode.
3. Please ___ the camera before the meeting.

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Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

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Frequently asked questions

Is disable by correct?

Yes. It is common in passive sentences such as The feature was disabled by the administrator.

Is disable in a fixed expression?

No. In usually adds information about place, software, or context.

Can disable be used without any preposition?

Yes. Disable normally takes a direct object, as in disable the alarm.

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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