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Preposition after verb

Exhibit in, exhibit at or exhibit by?

Exhibit in and exhibit at are both used for showing work at places or events. Exhibit by is usually not a standard verb-preposition combination.

Quick answer

How do you use exhibit with prepositions?

Use exhibit at for fairs, galleries, and events. Exhibit in is also possible when referring to participation inside a show, collection, or publication. Exhibit by is generally not idiomatic.

The artist will exhibit at the international art fair.
Her photographs were exhibited in a local museum.
Several paintings were shown in the exhibit last year.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
exhibit at + event/place

Showing work at an event or venue

At is common for exhibitions, fairs, conferences, and galleries.

The company will exhibit at the trade show.
She regularly exhibits at modern art festivals.
2
exhibit in + collection/show

Showing work inside a larger display

In is used when something appears within a museum, exhibition, or publication.

His sculpture was exhibited in the main hall.
Their work was exhibited in a travelling collection.
3
exhibit + object

Using exhibit without a preposition

Exhibit often takes a direct object.

The museum exhibited rare maps last month.
The gallery exhibits local artists every summer.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
exhibit at
The designer exhibited at a fashion expo.
Standard for participation at an event or venue.
exhibit in
Her paintings were exhibited in the city museum.
Standard when something appears inside a display or place.
exhibit by
The museum displayed works by local artists.
By usually belongs with works by someone, not exhibit by as a verb pattern.

Common mistakes

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

Using exhibit by as a fixed combination

Exhibit is not normally followed directly by by.

✕ She exhibited by the gallery last year. ✓ She exhibited at the gallery last year.

Confusing exhibit at and exhibit in

At focuses on the venue or event; in focuses on being inside a collection or display.

✕ The artist exhibited in the trade fair. ✓ The artist exhibited at the trade fair.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The company will exhibit ___ the technology conference.
2. Her work was exhibited ___ the museum's modern art section.
3. The gallery exhibited rare photographs last year. Does this sentence need a preposition?

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Frequently asked questions

Can I say exhibit at a museum?

Yes. This is common when talking about showing work at a venue.

What is the difference between exhibit in and exhibit at?

At emphasises the venue or event, while in emphasises being inside a collection, hall, or display.

Is exhibit by correct?

Not usually. By commonly introduces the creator, as in paintings by Picasso.

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