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Preposition after verb

favour with prepositions

Favour in British English follows the same patterns as favor in American English. The verb usually takes a direct object without a preposition.

Quick answer

How is favour used with prepositions?

Use favour directly with the preferred idea or person. Favoured by is common in passive structures. In favour of is a fixed expression using the noun favour. Favour over compares one choice with another.

Many teachers favour smaller classes.
The proposal was favoured by the committee.
They voted in favour of the change.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
favour + object

Supporting or preferring something

The verb favour normally takes a direct object.

Experts favour stricter standards.
She favours practical solutions.
2
favoured by + group

Receiving support or advantage

Use favoured by in passive structures.

The location is favoured by tourists.
The idea was favoured by senior staff.
3
in favour of + option

Expressing support formally

In favour of is a fixed phrase with the noun favour.

The board voted in favour of expansion.
Most evidence is in favour of early treatment.
4
favour A over B

Choosing one thing instead of another

Use favour over to compare preferences.

Consumers favour electric cars over petrol models.
She favours tea over coffee.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
favour + object
I favour the original design.
standard verb pattern
favoured by
The scheme was favoured by investors.
passive support or advantage
in favour of
They spoke in favour of the proposal.
fixed phrase expressing support
favour over
The company favours speed over cost.
preference between two options
favour of
The phrase in favour of is correct.
of belongs to the fixed expression, not directly after the verb favour

Common mistakes

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

Using favour for after the verb

Favour usually takes a direct object.

✕ I favour for this plan. ✓ I favour this plan.

Using favour of directly

Use the full phrase in favour of.

✕ We favour of stricter laws. ✓ We are in favour of stricter laws.

Forgetting the second option after over

Over compares two choices.

✕ She favours tea over. ✓ She favours tea over coffee.

Using by in active voice incorrectly

By normally follows passive forms such as favoured by.

✕ They favoured by local voters. ✓ They were favoured by local voters.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Many people favour renewable energy ___ fossil fuels.
2. The candidate was favoured ___ younger voters.
3. The committee voted in favour ___ the proposal.

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

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Frequently asked questions

Is favour over correct?

Yes. It is used to compare one preference with another.

Can I say favour of?

Only in the fixed phrase in favour of, not directly after the verb favour.

What is the main verb pattern?

The main pattern is favour plus a direct object, such as favour a plan or favour a candidate.

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"? "fasten to", "fasten on" or "fasten with"? favor by, in, for, from or of? "fear for", "fear in" or "fear of"?

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