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Prepositions after verbs

Enlist in, for, as, into or at?

Enlist is commonly used with in, for, and as. Some other combinations are uncommon or depend on a different sentence structure.

Quick answer

Which prepositions are used with enlist?

Use enlist in for joining an organisation or activity, especially the military. Use enlist for to volunteer for a task or period of service. Use enlist as for a role. Enlist into is generally nonstandard in current English.

She enlisted in the navy at eighteen.
He enlisted for a second tour of duty.
They enlisted as volunteers.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
enlist in + organisation

Joining a military or organised group

In is the standard preposition for formally joining a service or organisation.

He enlisted in the army after university.
Thousands enlisted in the reserve force.
2
enlist for + service or task

Volunteering for something

Use for when someone signs up for duty, service, or an activity.

She enlisted for medical training.
Several students enlisted for the community project.
3
enlist as + role

Taking a role or position

As introduces the role or function someone accepts.

He enlisted as a translator.
They enlisted as temporary staff.
4
enlist + object

Getting help or support

Enlist can also mean obtaining assistance from someone.

enlist support from local businesses
enlist the help of a lawyer

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
enlist in
She enlisted in the air force.
formally joined an organisation or service
enlist for
He enlisted for overseas duty.
volunteered or signed up for a task or period
enlist as
They enlisted as medical assistants.
joined in a particular role
enlist into
He enlisted into the army.
generally nonstandard; enlist in is preferred
enlist at
She enlisted at the local recruitment office.
at usually shows location, not the complement of enlist

Common mistakes

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

Using into instead of in

Standard English uses enlist in for joining organisations.

✕ He enlisted into the navy. ✓ He enlisted in the navy.

Confusing role and organisation

Use as for a role and in for the organisation.

✕ She enlisted in a nurse. ✓ She enlisted as a nurse.

Using at as the main complement

At usually introduces a place, not what someone joined.

✕ They enlisted at the military. ✓ They enlisted in the military.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She enlisted ___ the army after college.
2. Several workers enlisted ___ emergency support roles.
3. He enlisted ___ a six-month assignment abroad.

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Frequently asked questions

Is enlist into correct English?

In current standard English, enlist in is strongly preferred over enlist into.

What is the difference between enlist in and enlist for?

Enlist in focuses on joining an organisation, while enlist for focuses on volunteering for a task, duty, or period of service.

Can enlist mean getting help from someone?

Yes. You can enlist support, enlist help, or enlist the assistance of someone.

earmark-for-by-as-about, at "earn from", "earn by" or "earn in"? "ease into", "ease by" or "ease in"? "eat at", "eat with" or "eat in"? "echo in" or "echo by"? edit by, for, in, to or from? "educate in" or "educate at"? eject from, at, in, into or by? elaborate on, in, upon, by or about? "elect to" or "elect by"? elevate to, in, above, by or as? "eliminate from", "eliminate in" or "eliminate by"?

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