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Prepositions after verbs

How to use “govern” with prepositions

Govern usually means control or rule. English commonly uses govern by and govern according to specific rules or principles. Other combinations may have different meanings or sound unnatural.

Quick answer

Common prepositions with “govern”

Use govern by to describe the system, rules, or principles used to control something. Govern according to is used when actions follow rules or standards. Govern with can describe the method or attitude used in ruling. Govern in and govern for are not standard combinations directly selected by the verb.

The country is governed by a military council.
The committee operates according to strict guidelines.
She ruled with fairness and patience.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
govern by + system or authority

Showing what controls or rules something

Use govern by when naming the authority, law, or principle that controls a place or organisation.

The region is governed by federal law.
The school is governed by an elected board.
2
govern according to + rule or principle

Following rules or standards

According to is used separately from govern to show that actions follow rules, laws, or instructions.

The agency makes decisions according to national policy.
Access is regulated according to safety procedures.
3
govern with + quality or method

Describing the style of ruling

Use with to describe the manner or quality shown while governing.

The queen governed with caution.
He ruled with remarkable efficiency.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
govern by
The island is governed by local officials.
Standard for naming the authority or system in control.
govern according to
The organisation operates according to its charter.
Shows that actions follow rules or principles; according to is not directly selected by govern.
govern with
The leader governed with patience.
Describes the method or attitude used while ruling.
govern in
She served in government for ten years.
Govern in is not a normal verb-preposition combination. In may instead introduce a place or field.
govern for
The party governed for two terms.
For usually introduces a period of time, not an object selected by govern.

Common mistakes

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

Using “govern in” as a fixed pattern

Govern does not normally take in directly after it.

✕ The country was governed in strict laws. ✓ The country was governed by strict laws.

Confusing “govern by” and “according to”

Use govern by for the controlling authority and according to for following rules.

✕ The office is governed according to a committee. ✓ The office is governed by a committee.

Using “for” as the controller

For usually expresses duration or purpose, not the authority that governs.

✕ The state is governed for elected ministers. ✓ The state is governed by elected ministers.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The company is governed ___ international trade rules.
2. The agency acts according ___ official policy.
3. The emperor ruled ___ great discipline.

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Frequently asked questions

Is “govern by” correct?

Yes. It is the standard way to name the authority, law, or system controlling something.

Can I say “govern according to”?

According to usually belongs to the wider clause, not directly to govern. It means following rules or standards.

Is “govern in” natural English?

Not usually as a fixed combination. In may introduce a place or context, but it is not commonly selected by govern.

gain, from, gain, by "gamble on" or "gamble with"? "gasp for" or "gasp in"? "gather in" or "gather at"? "gaze at" or "gaze into"? generate by, from, in, for or at? get to, into, in, out or on? giggle at, to, about, like or with? "give to", "give in" or "give by"? glance at, through, around, over or in? glare at, from, after, before or in? glean from, by, in, at or for?

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