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Prepositions after verbs

How to use prepositions with expel

Expel is most commonly used with from for the place or group someone is removed from, and for for the reason.

Quick answer

Common prepositions with expel

Use expel from to name the organisation, school, or country someone is removed from. Use expel for to state the reason. By usually introduces the agent in passive sentences. At and in are generally separate location phrases.

expelled from school
expelled for cheating
expelled by the committee

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
expel from + place or group

Removing someone from an organisation or area

Use from for schools, clubs, countries, and similar groups or places.

He was expelled from the university last year.
The player was expelled from the team after the incident.
2
expel for + reason

Giving the reason for expulsion

Use for to explain why someone was removed.

She was expelled for misconduct.
Several students were expelled for cheating on the exam.
3
expel by + agent

Naming who carried out the action

By commonly appears in passive constructions to identify the authority involved.

The diplomat was expelled by the government.
He was expelled by the committee after the vote.
4
expel in + place

Using in as a location phrase

In usually gives the setting where the action happened rather than following expel directly.

Several protesters were expelled in the capital during the unrest.
The action was widely discussed after officials expelled journalists in the region.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
expel from
The student was expelled from college.
Standard for removal from a place or group.
expel for
He was expelled for breaking the rules.
Introduces the reason for expulsion.
expel by
The official was expelled by the ruling party.
Names the authority or agent in passive voice.
expel at
Several students were expelled at the end of the term.
At usually introduces a time or point, not the object of expel.
expel in
The government expelled diplomats in 2024.
In usually introduces a time or place phrase.

Common mistakes

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

Using by instead of from for removal

Use from to show the organisation or place someone leaves.

✕ She was expelled by school. ✓ She was expelled from school.

Using at for the organisation

At does not normally follow expel to name the place removed from.

✕ He was expelled at the club. ✓ He was expelled from the club.

Omitting for before the reason

For clearly introduces the cause of expulsion.

✕ They were expelled cheating. ✓ They were expelled for cheating.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The athlete was expelled ___ the competition.
2. She was expelled ___ plagiarism.
3. The diplomat was expelled ___ the authorities.

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Frequently asked questions

Which preposition is most common with expel?

From is the standard preposition for the place or organisation someone is removed from.

Can I say expelled for cheating?

Yes. For introduces the reason for the expulsion.

Is expelled at correct?

At is usually part of a time or location phrase, not the direct complement after expel.

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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