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Prepositions after verbs

Discover in or discover by?

Discover is usually used without a fixed preposition. In and by can appear after discover, but they often belong to location or method phrases rather than to the verb itself.

Quick answer

How to use discover with in and by

Discover normally takes a direct object: discover a place, discover a problem, discover the truth. Phrases with in usually show where something was discovered, while by often introduces the person or method connected to the discovery.

Scientists discovered the fossil in the cave.
The error was discovered by a technician.
She discovered a new recipe last summer.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
discover + object

Saying what someone finds or learns

Discover most commonly takes a direct object with no preposition.

They discovered a hidden passage behind the wall.
Researchers discovered a possible solution to the problem.
2
discover + object + in + place

Showing where something is discovered

In introduces the place where the discovery happens. The preposition belongs to the location phrase, not directly to discover.

Archaeologists discovered ancient tools in the desert.
She discovered a spelling mistake in the report.
3
discover + object + by + person/method

Showing who makes the discovery or how it happens

By often appears in passive sentences or with methods and means.

The planet was discovered by astronomers in Chile.
The problem was discovered by accident.
4
discover that + clause

Reporting new information

Discover can be followed by a clause to describe what someone learns.

We discovered that the tickets were fake.
She discovered that her keys were missing before work.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
discover in
Scientists discovered traces of water in the rock.
In introduces the place or thing containing what was discovered. Discover itself does not normally require in.
discover by
The mistake was discovered by a junior editor.
By identifies the discoverer or the method, especially in passive sentences.
discover + object
They discovered a safer route.
The standard structure is discover followed directly by an object.
discover that
He discovered that the file was empty.
Use a clause after discover to report information someone learns.

Common mistakes

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

Adding an unnecessary preposition after discover

Discover usually takes a direct object without a preposition.

✕ She discovered about the problem. ✓ She discovered the problem.

Confusing location with the verb pattern

In often belongs to a place phrase, not to the verb itself.

✕ They discovered in a solution. ✓ They discovered a solution.

Using by when no agent or method is meant

By should introduce a person, cause, or method.

✕ We discovered by the answer quickly. ✓ We discovered the answer quickly.

Using discover for intentional searching

Discover often suggests finding something previously unknown, not simply looking for it.

✕ I discovered my phone on the table after checking there. ✓ I found my phone on the table after checking there.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The painting was discovered ___ a museum worker.
2. They discovered ancient coins ___ the garden.
3. She discovered ___ serious error in the report.

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Frequently asked questions

Does discover need a preposition?

Usually no. Discover commonly takes a direct object, such as discover a fact or discover a place.

Can I say discover in?

Yes, but in usually introduces a location phrase, such as discover a mistake in the document.

When is by used with discover?

By is common in passive sentences to name the discoverer or method, such as discovered by scientists or discovered by chance.

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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