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Prepositions after verbs

Entertain with or entertain by?

Entertain is commonly used with with when naming what provides amusement. Other prepositions usually belong to separate time, place, or manner phrases.

Quick answer

Which prepositions are used with entertain?

Use entertain with to mention the thing used to amuse people: entertain guests with music. Passive forms with by are also common: We were entertained by the show. Prepositions such as at, in, and for usually introduce separate details like place, situation, or purpose rather than fixed verb combinations.

The host entertained the guests with live music.
We were thoroughly entertained by the comedian.
Children were entertained at the festival.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
entertain with + thing

Showing what provides amusement

Use with to introduce the activity, performance, or object used to entertain someone.

She entertained the visitors with stories.
The restaurant entertains diners with jazz performances.
2
be entertained by + performer or event

Naming the source of entertainment in passive clauses

Use by after entertained in passive structures to show who or what caused the entertainment.

The audience was entertained by the magician.
We were entertained by their jokes.
3
entertain at + place or event

Giving the location of entertainment

At usually introduces a place or event, not a fixed verb-preposition combination.

They entertained clients at the hotel.
The band entertained crowds at the carnival.
4
entertain for + purpose or period

Expressing purpose or duration

For can show why something is done or how long it lasts.

The clown entertained the children for an hour.
They entertained guests for charity.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
entertain with
The teacher entertained the class with a science demonstration.
Uses with for the thing used to amuse or interest people.
be entertained by
The tourists were entertained by local musicians.
Uses by in passive voice to show the source of entertainment.
entertain at
They entertained investors at a private dinner.
At introduces the location or event.
entertain in
She entertained friends in her apartment.
In introduces a place, not a special verb pattern.
entertain for
The speaker entertained the audience for two hours.
For expresses duration or purpose.

Common mistakes

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

Using by in active clauses

In active sentences, with is usually better for the thing used to entertain.

✕ He entertained the guests by music. ✓ He entertained the guests with music.

Confusing place phrases with verb patterns

At and in often describe location rather than a required preposition after entertain.

✓ They entertained clients at the conference.

Missing the object after entertain

Entertain normally takes a person or audience as its object.

✕ The band entertained with songs. ✓ The band entertained the crowd with songs.

Using for instead of with for methods

For usually shows purpose or time, not the entertaining method.

✕ She entertained us for funny stories. ✓ She entertained us with funny stories.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The host entertained the guests ___ card tricks.
2. We were entertained ___ a talented pianist.
3. They entertained clients ___ the rooftop restaurant.

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Frequently asked questions

Is entertain with the most common active pattern?

Yes. Use entertain with when naming the activity or thing used to amuse people.

Can I say entertained by?

Yes. Entertained by is natural in passive clauses such as We were entertained by the performers.

Are entertain at and entertain in correct?

Yes, when they introduce a place or event. They are not fixed verb-preposition combinations.

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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