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Prepositions after verbs

Flood with, into, or in?

The verb 'flood' is often used with 'with' for filling something and 'into' for movement to another place.

Quick answer

Which prepositions are used with 'flood'?

Use 'flood with' to mean fill completely. Use 'flood into' for movement to another place. 'Flood in' describes something entering in large amounts. 'By' often introduces the cause in passive sentences. 'To' is uncommon directly after 'flood'.

The room was flooded with sunlight.
Water flooded into the basement.
Messages flooded in after the announcement.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
flood with + thing

Filling something completely

Use 'with' after 'flood' to show what fills a space.

The streets were flooded with tourists.
Her inbox was flooded with complaints.
2
flood into + place

Moving in large amounts to a place

Use 'into' when people, water, or things move somewhere.

Fans flooded into the arena.
3
flood in

Entering in large numbers

'Flood in' often has no direct object and focuses on mass arrival.

Applications flooded in before the deadline.
4
flooded by + cause

Naming the cause in passive sentences

Use 'by' to introduce the source or cause of flooding.

The village was flooded by heavy rain.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
flood with
The hall was flooded with light.
Filled completely by something.
flood in
Orders flooded in overnight.
Arrived in large quantities.
flood into
People flooded into the station.
Moved somewhere in large numbers.
flood by
The fields were flooded by the river.
Usually passive; 'by' introduces the cause.
flood to
Tourists flooded to the island.
Possible but less common than 'flood into' or 'flock to' for movement.

Common mistakes

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

Using 'to' instead of 'into' for enclosed places

Use 'into' when movement enters a space.

✕ Fans flooded to the stadium. ✓ Fans flooded into the stadium.

Confusing 'flood with' and 'flooded by'

'With' names what fills the space. 'By' names the cause or agent.

✕ The room was flooded by smoke. ✓ The room was flooded with smoke.

Adding an object after 'flood in'

'Flood in' is usually intransitive.

✕ Messages flooded in the office. ✓ Messages flooded in.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The theatre was flooded ___ excited fans.
2. Water flooded ___ the tunnel after the storm.
3. Applications flooded ___ after the advert appeared.

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Frequently asked questions

What does 'flood with' mean?

It means to fill a place completely with something.

Can 'flood into' be used for people?

Yes. It often describes large crowds entering a place.

Is 'flood to' wrong?

It is possible in some contexts, but English more often uses 'flood into' for movement.

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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