Sign In Get Started
Preposition after verb

Exempt from, in, by, as or at?

Exempt is normally followed by from to show what someone does not have to do or pay. Other prepositions may appear in separate grammatical roles, especially in passive clauses or added context.

Quick answer

Which preposition is used with exempt?

The standard pattern is exempt from something. Use from to show a duty, rule, tax, or requirement that does not apply. Other prepositions such as by, in, as, or at usually belong to different parts of the sentence rather than forming fixed combinations with exempt.

Students are exempt from the fee.
The company was exempt from local taxes.
The group was exempted by federal law.
He was exempt in certain circumstances.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
exempt from + duty/rule

Showing what does not apply

Use from after exempt to name the obligation, payment, or rule that is removed.

Children under five are exempt from admission charges.
Some workers are exempt from overtime rules.
2
exempt + person/group + from + something

Exempting someone from a requirement

Use exempt as a verb with an object followed by from.

The policy exempts low-income families from the charge.
The agreement exempted researchers from travel restrictions.
3
exempted by + authority/law

Naming the source of the exemption

By can introduce the authority, law, or organisation responsible for the exemption.

The industry was exempted by special legislation.
Several products were exempted by the regulator.
4
exempt in + situation

Adding a contextual condition

In may introduce a situation or context where the exemption applies. It is not the usual fixed preposition after exempt.

These rules do not apply because the company is exempt in emergency cases.
Members may be exempt in limited circumstances.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
exempt from
Medical supplies are exempt from import taxes.
Standard and most common pattern.
exempt by
The organisation was exempted by a court order.
By introduces the authority or cause of the exemption.
exempt in
The rule applies differently because some groups are exempt in special cases.
In introduces a context or condition, not a fixed complement.
exempt as
He worked as a consultant and was exempt from the policy.
As normally describes a role and is not a standard complement after exempt.
exempt at
Students are exempt from fees at some universities.
At usually introduces a place, not a fixed pattern with exempt.

Common mistakes

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

Using the wrong main preposition

From is the standard preposition after exempt when naming a duty or rule.

✕ Employees are exempt in the tax. ✓ Employees are exempt from the tax.

Confusing by with from

By names who granted the exemption, while from names what is removed.

✕ The company was exempted by import duties. ✓ The company was exempted from import duties.

Using as directly after exempt

As usually describes a role rather than the exemption itself.

✕ She is exempt as military service. ✓ She is exempt from military service.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Children under six are exempt ___ the entrance fee.
2. The organisation was exempted ___ a new government order.
3. Some staff are exempt ___ emergency situations only.

Check your sentence in context

Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

Free to try · No signup required

Frequently asked questions

Is exempt from the standard expression?

Yes. Exempt from is the normal and widely used combination.

Can exempt be used as a verb and an adjective?

Yes. You can say The law exempts students from fees or Students are exempt from fees.

Why do I sometimes see exempted by?

By introduces the authority or law that granted the exemption, especially in passive sentences.

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"?

Write with confidence in Linguix

Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.

Create a free account