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Prepositions after verbs

Enrich with or enrich by?

Enrich is usually followed by with to name what is added. By is more common in passive structures that describe the method or agent of enrichment.

Quick answer

Which preposition is correct after enrich?

Use enrich with when you say what is added to improve something: enrich the soil with compost. Enrich by is uncommon as a direct verb pattern, but by often appears after enriched in passive clauses to show the cause or method: The experience was enriched by travel.

They enriched the curriculum with practical projects
The sauce is enriched with cream
Her understanding was enriched by years abroad

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
enrich with + thing added

Adding something valuable

Use with to introduce the substance, feature, or quality that improves something.

The chef enriched the soup with fresh herbs
The course was enriched with case studies
2
be enriched by + source

Showing what caused improvement

In passive clauses, by can introduce the experience, person, or process that created enrichment.

Her research was enriched by field interviews
The exhibition was enriched by local artists
3
enrich + object

Using enrich without a preposition

Enrich can directly take an object when the added value is understood from context.

Reading enriches vocabulary.
Travel enriches lives.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
enrich with
They enriched the program with new workshops.
Standard pattern for adding something beneficial.
enriched by
The discussion was enriched by different viewpoints.
Standard passive pattern showing the source of enrichment.
enrich by
They enriched the soil by adding compost.
Here by introduces the method, not a fixed verb-preposition combination.
enrich in
The region is rich in minerals.
Rich in is standard, but enrich in is generally not idiomatic.

Common mistakes

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

Using enrich in instead of enrich with

Use with to name what is added.

✕ The drink is enriched in vitamins. ✓ The drink is enriched with vitamins.

Confusing by with a direct complement

By usually introduces a method or source in passive clauses.

✕ They enriched the book by illustrations. ✓ They enriched the book with illustrations.

Adding an unnecessary preposition

Enrich can take a direct object without a preposition.

✕ Travel enriches to your life. ✓ Travel enriches your life.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The company enriched the training program ___ online modules.
2. Her career was enriched ___ international experience.
3. The recipe is enriched ___ butter and cream.

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Frequently asked questions

Is enrich with the most common pattern?

Yes. Use enrich with to say what is added to improve something.

Can I use enrich by?

Usually only when by introduces a method or source, especially in passive clauses such as enriched by experience.

Is enrich in correct?

Usually no. English normally uses rich in, not enrich in.

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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