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Verb + preposition

heighten with by and in

Heighten usually takes a direct object. By often introduces amount or method, while in usually belongs to a separate phrase.

Quick answer

Common uses of heighten

Use heighten + object most often: heighten awareness. Heighten by can show degree or means. Heighten in is uncommon as a fixed pattern and usually introduces a place or situation.

The campaign heightened awareness of the issue
Stress was heightened by uncertainty
Tension heightened in the final scene

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
heighten + object

Increase intensity or effect

This is the standard structure.

The music heightened the suspense
2
heighten by + amount/cause

Show degree or cause

By often appears in passive or measurement structures.

Concern was heightened by the delay
3
heighten in + context

Describe where intensity increases

In usually introduces a context, not a fixed complement.

Excitement heightened in the crowd as the match continued

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
heighten by
The risk was heightened by poor weather.
increase because of a cause
heighten in
Fear heightened in the village.
become stronger within a context
heighten awareness
The article heightened awareness of pollution.
increase attention or understanding
heighten in something
Heighten in danger is not idiomatic.
nonstandard fixed pattern

Common mistakes

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

Adding unnecessary in

Heighten usually takes a direct object.

✕ The news heightened in anxiety. ✓ The news heightened anxiety.

Confusing cause and location

By introduces a cause; in introduces context.

✕ Concern heightened by the audience. ✓ Concern heightened in the audience.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The speech heightened public awareness ___ climate issues.
2. Tension was heightened ___ the long delay.
3. Excitement heightened ___ the stadium.

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Frequently asked questions

Can heighten be used without a preposition?

Yes. Heighten often takes a direct object, such as heighten tension.

Is heighten by active or passive?

It commonly appears in passive structures like was heightened by fear.

Does heighten in sound natural?

Only when in introduces a separate context or place expression.

hack-into-by-at-to, in "haggle with" or "haggle for"? "hail from" or "hail as"? hamper by, due, in, for or throughout? "handle by" or "handle in"? hang in, from, over, around or onto? "happen to" or "happen in"? harass by, in, at, for or with? "harm by" or "harm to"? harvest from, in, for, at or by? hasten to, by, from, after or into? hate on, for, by, about or in?

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