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Preposition after verb

fasten to, on, or with

Fasten to and fasten on are both common for attaching one thing to another. Fasten with introduces the tool or material used to attach something.

Quick answer

Which preposition goes with fasten?

Use fasten to or fasten on for attachment. Use fasten with for the method, tool, or material used to secure something.

Please fasten the rope to the post.
The badge was fastened on her jacket.
They fastened the shelf with metal brackets.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
fasten to + surface

Attaching something to another thing

Use fasten to for physical attachment.

He fastened the sign to the wall.
The lid is fastened to the container.
2
fasten on + surface

Fixing something onto a surface

Fasten on is similar to fasten to and is common with clothes or visible surfaces.

She fastened the pin on her coat.
The label was fastened on the package.
3
fasten with + tool/material

Method or instrument of attachment

Use fasten with to mention what is used to secure something.

The frame was fastened with screws.
They fastened the tent with ropes.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
fasten to
Fasten the cable to the battery.
attach one thing to another
fasten on
She fastened the flower on her dress.
attach onto a surface or item
fasten with
The box was fastened with tape.
state the tool or material used
fasten onto
The child fastened onto the idea quickly.
different figurative meaning: become attached mentally
fasten up
Please fasten up your jacket.
close or secure clothing

Common mistakes

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

Using with for the attached object

With introduces the method, not the destination.

✕ Fasten the sign with the wall. ✓ Fasten the sign to the wall.

Confusing to and with

To shows attachment; with shows the tool or material.

✕ The shelf was fastened to nails. ✓ The shelf was fastened with nails.

Missing the object after on

Fasten on usually needs the surface or item receiving the attachment.

✕ She fastened the badge on. ✓ She fastened the badge on her jacket.

Using on for tools

On does not introduce the method of fastening.

✕ The package was fastened on tape. ✓ The package was fastened with tape.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Fasten the mirror ___ the wall.
2. The box was fastened ___ string.
3. She fastened the badge ___ her coat.

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Frequently asked questions

Are fasten to and fasten on both correct?

Yes. Both can describe attachment, though on is especially common for surfaces and clothing.

What does fasten with mean?

It introduces the tool or material used to secure something.

Can fasten be used figuratively?

Yes. Expressions like fasten onto an idea mean become strongly interested or attached mentally.

face, with, face, by facilitate by, in, with, for or through? "fade into", "fade to" or "fade from"? fail in, at, to, on or for? "fall into" or "fall in"? falter in, after, for, on or under? fantasize about, on, of or over? fare in, against, to, as or on? "fascinate by" or "fascinate with"? favor by, in, for, from or of? favour by, in, for, over or of? "fear for", "fear in" or "fear of"?

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