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Verb + preposition

find in, on, at, by or for?

Find is usually followed by a direct object, but different prepositions appear in common patterns with different meanings.

Quick answer

Using find with in, on, at, by, and for

Use find in when something is discovered inside a place, text, or situation. Find on usually refers to discovering something on a surface or platform. Find at commonly appears in passive structures about locations. Find by can describe methods of discovery. Find for is not a standard pattern directly after find, though search for and look for are common.

I found the answer in the manual.
She found a note on the table.
The documents were found at the scene.
Scientists found by chance that the material was unstable.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
find + object in + place/text

Discovering something inside something else

Use find in for things discovered within places, books, reports, or situations.

We found errors in the report.
She found her keys in the kitchen.
2
find + object on + surface/platform

Discovering something on a surface

Use find on for things located on tables, websites, walls, and similar surfaces or platforms.

He found the file on his laptop.
They found fingerprints on the door.
3
find at + location

Giving the place where something was discovered

Find at often appears in passive structures describing location.

Rare coins were found at the site.
The missing bag was found at the station.
4
find by + method

Describing how something was discovered

Find by can introduce the method, process, or means of discovery.

The result was found by careful testing.
Researchers found by experiment that the drug was effective.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
find in
I found the details in the report.
discover something inside a source or place
find on
She found dust on the shelf.
discover something on a surface or platform
find at
The wallet was found at the airport.
state the location of discovery
find by
The solution was found by analysis.
show the method of discovery
find for
Find for is not a standard pattern after find.
use look for or search for when expressing a target of searching

Common mistakes

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

Using find for to mean search

Find means discover. To express searching, use look for or search for.

✕ I am finding for my glasses. ✓ I am looking for my glasses.

Confusing in and on

Use in for enclosed spaces or texts, and on for surfaces or platforms.

✕ I found the note in the desk. ✓ I found the note on the desk.

Using at instead of in for documents

At usually refers to a location, not contents inside a text.

✕ I found the answer at the book. ✓ I found the answer in the book.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She found several mistakes ___ the contract.
2. The keys were found ___ the reception desk.
3. The cause was found ___ laboratory testing.

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Frequently asked questions

Is find for ever correct?

Not usually as a direct pattern after find. English normally uses look for or search for to express searching.

Can I say found on the internet?

Yes. On is standard for websites, platforms, and online sources.

Why is find often used without a preposition?

Find commonly takes a direct object, as in “I found my phone.” Prepositions are added when you describe location, method, or context.

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? favour by, in, for, over or of?

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