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Prepositions after verbs

Distort by, in, to, with or of?

Distort is commonly used with by, into, and with. Some other combinations are possible only in specific contexts, while others are uncommon as verb patterns.

Quick answer

Which prepositions go with distort?

Use distort by to describe the amount or cause of distortion, distort with for the thing causing distortion, and distort into for changing something into a false form. Distort in usually introduces the area or way something is distorted. Distort of is not a standard verb pattern.

The image was distorted by heat.
The report was distorted with misleading statistics.
The story was distorted into a political attack.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
distort by + cause or amount

Showing what causes distortion

By introduces the force, condition, or degree that changes something from its true form.

The signal was distorted by interference.
Her voice sounded distorted by the poor connection.
2
distort with + added element

Showing what fills or alters something

With refers to something added that changes the original appearance or meaning.

The article was distorted with exaggerated claims.
The recording was distorted with background noise.
3
distort into + new form

Showing transformation into something false

Into is used when something becomes a different or misleading form.

The facts were distorted into a conspiracy theory.
The quote was distorted into a personal attack.
4
distort in + area or respect

Describing where distortion appears

In can introduce the aspect or field where something is distorted rather than a fixed verb-preposition combination.

The map is distorted in scale.
The results were distorted in several areas.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
distort by
The figures were distorted by bad data.
Shows the cause of distortion.
distort with
The speech was distorted with emotional language.
Shows what was added to create distortion.
distort into
The rumour was distorted into a scandal.
Shows transformation into another form.
distort in
The image is distorted in the corners.
Describes where or how distortion appears.
distort of
Not standard: distort of the facts
Of is generally not used directly after distort as a verb pattern.

Common mistakes

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

Using distort of as a verb pattern

Distort is not normally followed directly by of.

✕ The article distorted of the situation. ✓ The article distorted the situation.

Confusing by and with

By usually introduces the cause, while with introduces something added.

✕ The signal was distorted with interference. ✓ The signal was distorted by interference.

Using to instead of into for transformation

Into is preferred when something changes into a false form.

✕ The story was distorted to a joke. ✓ The story was distorted into a joke.

Adding an unnecessary preposition

Distort can take a direct object without a preposition.

✕ They distorted about the data. ✓ They distorted the data.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The image was distorted ___ smoke.
2. The facts were distorted ___ a dramatic story.
3. The recording was distorted ___ static noise.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I say distort by something?

Yes. Distort by is common when you mention the cause, such as heat, noise, or bias.

Is distort of correct?

No. Distort of is not a standard English verb pattern.

What is the difference between distort with and distort by?

By usually names the cause of distortion, while with refers to something added or mixed in.

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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