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Prepositions after verbs

Disqualify from or disqualify for?

Disqualify from is the standard pattern for removing someone from participation or eligibility. Disqualify for is uncommon and usually nonstandard after the verb disqualify.

Quick answer

Which preposition is correct after disqualify?

Use disqualify from to mean preventing someone from taking part in something. Disqualify for is generally not idiomatic after the verb disqualify.

The runner was disqualified from the race.
A criminal record may disqualify you from the position.
The team was disqualified from the tournament.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
disqualify from + competition/activity

Removing someone from participation

Use from when someone cannot continue in a competition, event, or process.

He was disqualified from the final round.
Several players were disqualified from the event.
2
disqualify from + opportunity/role

Making someone ineligible

Use from for jobs, benefits, programs, or other opportunities.

Missing documents may disqualify applicants from the grant.
The violation disqualified her from serving on the committee.
3
be disqualified

Using the passive form

The passive is very common with disqualify.

Two cyclists were disqualified after the inspection.
Any late entry will be disqualified automatically.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
disqualify from
The athlete was disqualified from the competition.
standard pattern meaning remove from participation or eligibility
disqualify for
A low score can disqualify you for some programs.
occasionally appears in specific contexts, but from is more standard after disqualify
qualify for
She qualified for the finals.
the opposite idea: become eligible for something
bar from
The rule bars visitors from entering the area.
another verb meaning prevent participation or access

Common mistakes

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

Using disqualify for in general contexts

After disqualify, from is usually the expected preposition.

✕ He was disqualified for the tournament. ✓ He was disqualified from the tournament.

Confusing qualify and disqualify

Qualify for means become eligible, while disqualify from means become ineligible.

✕ She disqualified for the finals. ✓ She qualified for the finals.

Leaving out the object after from

From should be followed by the activity, role, or opportunity.

✕ The error disqualified him from. ✓ The error disqualified him from the contest.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The player was disqualified ___ the match.
2. A failed background check may disqualify candidates ___ the job.
3. She qualified ___ the national team.

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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 disqualify for ever correct?

It occasionally appears in some contexts, but disqualify from is the standard and safer choice.

What is the opposite of disqualify from?

The opposite is usually qualify for.

Can I use disqualify without a preposition?

Yes, if the context is clear: The referee disqualified the player.

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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