Sign In Get Started
Prepositions after verbs

Dislike and related prepositions

Dislike usually takes a direct object with no preposition.

Quick answer

How is dislike used?

Dislike normally takes a direct object: dislike something. About can appear after a noun clause such as what I dislike about. By and for are not standard complements after dislike.

dislike loud music
What I dislike about the plan is the cost.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
dislike + noun

Expressing negative feelings

The usual pattern has no preposition.

I dislike crowded places
2
dislike + verb-ing

Disliking an activity

A gerund often follows dislike.

She dislikes waiting in lines
3
dislike about + noun

Talking about a specific aspect

About appears after a phrase like what I dislike.

What I dislike about the app is its design.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
dislike + object
They dislike noise.
standard pattern
dislike about
What do you dislike about the course?
asks which aspect is negative
dislike by
The proposal was disliked by many voters.
by introduces the agent in a passive sentence
dislike for
She has a dislike for dishonesty.
for is used after the noun dislike

Common mistakes

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

Adding a preposition after dislike

The verb usually takes a direct object.

✕ I dislike about this movie. ✓ I dislike this movie.

Using for after the verb

For belongs with the noun dislike, not usually the verb.

✕ They dislike for delays. ✓ They dislike delays.

Confusing active and passive patterns

By is used in passive sentences.

✕ People dislike by the policy. ✓ The policy is disliked by people.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. I dislike ___ early on weekends.
2. What do you dislike ___ the new design?
3. The rule was disliked ___ employees.

Check your sentence in context

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

Free to try · No signup required

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a preposition after dislike?

Usually no. Dislike directly takes an object or gerund.

When can about follow dislike?

About is used when asking or stating what aspect is disliked.

Is dislike for correct?

It is common with the noun dislike, as in a dislike for noise.

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?

Write with confidence in Linguix

Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.

Create a free account