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Prepositions after verbs

Hijack by, for, in, as, or at?

Hijack is usually used without a fixed preposition. Different prepositions may appear for agent, purpose, or context.

Quick answer

Which prepositions are used with hijack?

Hijack normally takes a direct object: hijack a plane. In passive sentences, by introduces the hijacker. For and in can add purpose or context. As and at are generally not standard patterns after hijack.

The criminals hijacked the truck.
The plane was hijacked by armed men.
The term is often hijacked for political arguments.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
hijack + object

Taking control illegally

Use hijack directly with vehicles, systems, events, or discussions.

They hijacked the broadcast.
Hackers hijacked the account.
2
hijacked by + agent

Showing who carried out the hijacking

By is common in passive sentences.

The bus was hijacked by two armed men.
The debate was hijacked by conspiracy theories.
3
hijack for + purpose

Showing the purpose or benefit

For introduces the goal or use after control is taken.

The campaign was hijacked for commercial interests.
They tried to hijack the meeting for publicity.
4
hijack in + context

Showing the situation where it happened

In usually introduces a wider event or context, not a fixed verb-preposition combination.

Several flights were hijacked in the 1970s.
The issue was hijacked in online discussions.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
hijack by
The aircraft was hijacked by rebels.
passive structure showing the agent
hijack for
The movement was hijacked for political gain.
showing purpose or benefit
hijack in
The network was hijacked in a cyberattack.
showing context or situation
hijack as
They used the event as a platform.
As is not a standard pattern after hijack
hijack at
The attack happened at the airport.
At usually adds location and is not selected by hijack

Common mistakes

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

Using as directly after hijack

Hijack as is not a normal English pattern.

✕ They hijacked as a protest tool. ✓ They used it as a protest tool.

Adding unnecessary prepositions

Hijack commonly takes a direct object.

✕ The group hijacked at the plane. ✓ The group hijacked the plane.

Confusing by in active sentences

By usually appears in passive constructions.

✕ The rebels hijacked by the bus. ✓ The bus was hijacked by the rebels.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The attackers ___ the train last night.
2. The aircraft was hijacked ___ militants.
3. The campaign was hijacked ___ advertising purposes.

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Frequently asked questions

Can hijack be used metaphorically?

Yes. It can describe taking control of conversations, movements, or digital systems.

Is hijack as correct?

It is generally not used as a fixed pattern after hijack in standard English.

Do I always need a preposition after hijack?

No. The basic structure is hijack plus a direct object.

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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