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Prepositions after verbs

Disguise as

Use disguise as for the identity or appearance someone adopts.

Quick answer

Disguise as or disguise by?

Use disguise as to say what appearance or role someone takes. By can introduce the method of disguise, but it is not the normal complement after disguise.

disguised as a tourist
disguised as a delivery driver

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
disguise as + person/role

Taking another identity

As introduces the false appearance or role.

The spy was disguised as a waiter
2
disguise + object

Hiding the true nature of something

Disguise can directly take an object.

disguise the smell
3
disguise by + method

Explaining how something is hidden

By introduces a method, not the identity.

They disguised the entrance by painting it green

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
disguise as
She disguised herself as a nurse.
take on a false appearance
disguise by
He disguised his voice by whispering.
show the method used
disguise with
The sauce disguises the taste with strong spices.
with introduces an instrument or addition
be disguised as
The file was disguised as an image.
passive form describing appearance

Common mistakes

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

Using by for the false identity

As is needed for the role or appearance.

✕ He disguised himself by a guard. ✓ He disguised himself as a guard.

Forgetting the reflexive pronoun

Disguise oneself is common for people.

✕ She disguised as a doctor. ✓ She disguised herself as a doctor.

Using as for method

By is better for methods or techniques.

✕ He disguised his voice as whispering. ✓ He disguised his voice by whispering.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The actor disguised himself ___ an old man.
2. She disguised her accent ___ speaking slowly.
3. The package was disguised ___ a gift box.

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Frequently asked questions

Can disguise be used without as?

Yes, when it directly takes an object, such as disguise the truth.

Is disguise by incorrect?

No. It is correct when by introduces a method.

Do I need a reflexive pronoun with people?

Usually yes: disguise yourself, disguise himself, and similar forms are common.

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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