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Prepositions after verbs

Examine by or examine in?

Examine usually takes a direct object without a fixed preposition. Phrases with by or in are possible when those words add separate information such as method, location, or field.

Quick answer

Which preposition follows examine?

The verb examine normally does not need a preposition before its object: examine the report, examine a patient. "Examine by" is not a standard pattern for introducing the thing examined, but by can describe a method or agent in the sentence. "Examine in" is also not a standard pattern for the object, though in may introduce a field, place, or context.

examine the evidence carefully
The samples were examined by microscope
She specialises in examining documents in criminal cases

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
examine + object

Talking about what someone studies or checks

Examine normally takes a direct object with no preposition.

examine the patient immediately
The committee will examine the proposal tomorrow
2
examine by + method

Describing the method used for examination

By can introduce the method, instrument, or process used to examine something. It does not introduce the object being examined.

The fibers were examined by ultrasound
Researchers examined the sample by hand
3
examine in + field or context

Showing the area, place, or context of examination

In can add information about where or in what context something is examined.

The issue is often examined in ethics classes
Scientists examined the data in detail
4
examine for + purpose

Checking something to find a condition or problem

For is common when the examination has a specific purpose.

Doctors examined the child for signs of infection
Police examined the car for fingerprints

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
examine + object
The lawyer examined the contract carefully.
Standard pattern for studying or checking something.
examine by
The material was examined by X-ray.
By introduces the method or instrument, not the object examined.
examine in
The topic is examined in chapter 3.
In introduces a context, section, place, or field.
examine for
The technician examined the device for damage.
Used when checking for a specific condition or feature.

Common mistakes

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

Adding an unnecessary preposition before the object

Examine usually takes a direct object without by or in.

✕ The doctor examined in the patient. ✓ The doctor examined the patient.

Using by as if it introduced the object

By normally describes the method or agent.

✕ We examined by the documents yesterday. ✓ We examined the documents yesterday.

Confusing context with the object

In can describe where or in what context the examination happens, but not the direct object.

✕ The scientist examined in the results. ✓ The scientist examined the results.

Forgetting the purpose phrase with for

Use for when checking to detect something specific.

✕ The nurse examined the patient signs of dehydration. ✓ The nurse examined the patient for signs of dehydration.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The committee will ___ the evidence tomorrow.
2. The samples were examined ___ microscope.
3. The topic is examined ___ detail in the final chapter.

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Frequently asked questions

Is "examine by" correct English?

It can be correct when by introduces a method or instrument, such as examined by ultrasound. It is not the normal pattern before the object being examined.

Can I say "examine in"?

Yes, but usually only when in adds context, place, or manner, as in examined in class or examined in detail.

What is the most common structure with examine?

The standard structure is examine plus a direct object, such as examine the report or examine a patient.

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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