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Prepositions after verbs

Disbelieve in, after, for or on?

Disbelieve usually takes a direct object. Disbelieve in is also used for rejecting beliefs or concepts. After, for, and on are not standard fixed combinations with disbelieve.

Quick answer

Choosing prepositions after disbelieve

Use disbelieve someone or something for refusing to accept it as true. Use disbelieve in for rejecting the existence or value of an idea, system, or belief. Disbelieve after, disbelieve for, and disbelieve on are not standard verb-preposition patterns.

Many readers disbelieved the story.
He disbelieves in superstition.
They disbelieved her explanation.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
disbelieve + statement/person

Rejecting something as untrue

Disbelieve commonly takes a direct object without a preposition.

disbelieve the witness
disbelieved his excuse
2
disbelieve in + belief/system

Rejecting an idea or principle

In is used when talking about belief in concepts, values, or systems.

disbelieve in ghosts
disbelieves in luck

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
disbelieve
The jury disbelieved the testimony.
Refuse to accept something as true.
disbelieve in
She disbelieves in astrology.
Reject belief in a concept or system.
disbelieve after
They disbelieved the claim after the investigation.
After introduces time or sequence, not a fixed verb-preposition combination.
disbelieve for
Nonstandard in most contexts.
For is not a usual preposition after disbelieve.
disbelieve on
Nonstandard in most contexts.
On is not a usual preposition after disbelieve.

Common mistakes

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

Adding unnecessary prepositions

Disbelieve often works directly with an object.

✕ I disbelieve in his story. ✓ I disbelieve his story.

Using for after disbelieve

For is not a standard partner of disbelieve.

✕ She disbelieves for the report. ✓ She disbelieves the report.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Many people disbelieve ___ miracles.
2. The judge disbelieved ___ testimony.
3. Which option is not a standard fixed combination?

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between disbelieve and disbelieve in?

Disbelieve rejects a statement as untrue. Disbelieve in rejects belief in a concept or principle.

Can disbelieve be followed directly by a noun?

Yes. You can say disbelieve the story or disbelieve the witness.

Are disbelieve after and disbelieve on correct?

They are not standard fixed combinations. After may appear separately as a time expression.

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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