Prepositions after verbs

Embrace by, as, with, within or in?

Embrace usually takes a direct object with no preposition: embrace change. Some prepositions appear in specific meanings or passive structures rather than as fixed combinations.

Quick answer

Which prepositions are used with embrace?

Embrace is commonly used without a preposition: embrace new technology. Embrace as is used when accepting someone or something in a role or identity. In and within often describe the place where someone is included or held. By usually appears in passive structures such as embraced by the community. With can describe the manner of a physical embrace.

The company embraced flexible working.
She was embraced as a leader by the group.
The child was embraced by his grandparents.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
embrace + idea or change

Accepting something willingly

Embrace commonly takes a direct object without a preposition.

Many schools embraced online learning.
He embraced the opportunity enthusiastically.
2
embrace as + role or identity

Accepting someone in a particular way

Use as to show the role, identity, or status accepted.

The town embraced her as one of its own.
3
embraced by + people or group

Passive form showing acceptance or physical holding

By introduces the person or group doing the embracing.

The proposal was embraced by local businesses.
4
embrace with + manner or emotion

Describing how someone hugs another person

With can introduce emotion or manner in physical contexts.

She embraced him with great affection.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
embrace
They embraced change quickly.
Standard use meaning accept willingly.
embrace as
The team embraced her as captain.
Accept someone in a specific role or identity.
embrace by
The idea was embraced by students.
By appears in passive structures to show who accepted something.
embrace within
The tradition remains embraced within the community.
Within adds location or scope rather than forming a common verb pattern.
embrace in
They stood embraced in silence.
In can introduce surrounding circumstances, not a fixed complement after embrace.

Common mistakes

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

Adding unnecessary prepositions

Embrace usually takes a direct object alone.

✕ We embraced to new methods. ✓ We embraced new methods.

Using by in active voice

By normally belongs to passive structures.

✕ They embraced by innovation. ✓ They embraced innovation.

Confusing embrace as with embrace

Use as only when naming a role or identity.

✕ She embraced as the proposal. ✓ She embraced the proposal.

Using within as the main complement

Within usually adds contextual information rather than completing the verb.

✓ The custom is embraced within the region.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The organisation embraced ___ technology.
2. The community embraced her ___ a mentor.
3. The policy was embraced ___ many employees.

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Frequently asked questions

Does embrace need a preposition?

Usually no. The most common pattern is embrace plus a direct object.

When do we use embrace as?

Use embrace as when someone accepts a role, identity, or status.

Can embrace within be correct?

Yes, but within usually adds contextual information about location or scope rather than forming a fixed verb pattern.

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