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Prepositions after verbs

Host by, on, in, at or for?

Host is usually followed directly by an object. Prepositions such as by, on, in, at, and for often belong to passive forms or place expressions.

Quick answer

How is host used with prepositions?

Host normally takes a direct object: host an event. In passive sentences, by introduces the organiser. On, in, and at usually introduce place or platform information, not objects selected by host. Host for is uncommon except in specific contexts.

The city will host the conference next year.
The event was hosted by the university.
She hosted the show on television.
They hosted a dinner at home.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
host + event/person

Organising or presenting something

Host usually takes a direct object without a preposition.

The museum hosted an exhibition in June.
He hosted the podcast for three years.
2
hosted by + organiser

Naming the organiser in passive voice

Use by after hosted in passive constructions.

The awards were hosted by a comedian.
The summit was hosted by Canada last year.
3
host on + platform/channel

Showing where something is presented

On introduces a medium, platform, or channel.

She hosts a programme on radio every weekend.
The company hosts webinars on Zoom.
4
host in/at + place

Giving the location of an event

In and at usually describe location rather than a fixed verb pattern.

The city hosted the festival in the old harbour.
They hosted the reception at a hotel.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
host by
The event was hosted by the university.
passive form showing the organiser
host on
She hosts a show on television.
indicates a platform or medium
host in
The city hosted the games in July.
in often introduces time or place information
host at
They hosted the meeting at their office.
at introduces a location
host for
The hotel hosted a banquet for visitors.
for usually introduces beneficiaries, not a fixed host pattern

Common mistakes

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

Using by in active sentences

By is mainly used after hosted in passive voice.

✕ The company hosted by a concert. ✓ The company hosted a concert.

Adding unnecessary prepositions

Host normally takes a direct object.

✕ She hosted for the event. ✓ She hosted the event.

Confusing location with verb pattern

In and at often describe where the event happened.

✕ The verb host requires at. ✓ They hosted the meeting at a café.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The ceremony was hosted ___ a famous actor.
2. She hosts a travel show ___ television.
3. The university will host ___ conference next spring.

Check your sentence in context

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Frequently asked questions

Does host need a preposition?

Usually no. English commonly says host an event or host a guest.

Why do people say hosted by?

Hosted by is a passive structure that names the organiser or presenter.

Can I use host on with websites or platforms?

Yes. On can introduce a platform or medium, such as on YouTube or on Zoom.

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