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Prepositions after verbs

Illustrate by or illustrate in?

Illustrate commonly appears with by to show method or example. In usually introduces the place or source where something is illustrated.

Quick answer

Choosing between illustrate by and illustrate in

Use illustrate by when explaining how something is demonstrated, often with examples or diagrams. Use illustrate in when referring to where something appears or is explained.

The concept is illustrated by several diagrams.
The process is illustrated in the manual.
The teacher illustrated the lesson by using real objects.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
illustrate by + example or method

Showing how something is demonstrated

By introduces the example, method, or action used for explanation.

The report illustrates the trend by comparing yearly data.
The speaker illustrated the idea by telling a short story.
2
illustrated by + image or evidence

Describing supporting material

In passive constructions, by introduces the material that explains or decorates something.

The article is illustrated by detailed maps.
The book was illustrated by a famous artist.
3
illustrate in + source

Referring to where something appears

In introduces the document, book, or setting where the illustration occurs.

The technique is illustrated in chapter three.
The pattern was illustrated in a classroom experiment.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
illustrate by
She illustrated the point by drawing a sketch.
shows method or example
illustrated by
The story is illustrated by colourful paintings.
describes supporting images or material
illustrate in
The method is illustrated in the guidebook.
shows where the explanation appears
illustrate with
The teacher illustrated the lesson with photos.
with is also common for tools or examples

Common mistakes

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

Using in for method

Use by or with when explaining the method used.

✕ He illustrated the idea in a chart. ✓ He illustrated the idea with a chart.

Confusing location and method

In refers to where something appears, not how it is explained.

✕ The teacher illustrated in examples. ✓ The teacher illustrated the topic by using examples.

Missing the object after illustrate

Illustrate usually needs an object or a clear passive structure.

✕ The diagram illustrates by colours. ✓ The diagram illustrates the differences by using colours.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The author illustrated the argument ___ several case studies.
2. The process is illustrated ___ the training manual.
3. The book was illustrated ___ a local artist.

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Frequently asked questions

Is illustrate by correct?

Yes. It is common when explaining the method or example used.

When do we use illustrate in?

Use illustrate in to refer to the place, text, or context where something is shown or explained.

Can illustrate take with?

Yes. Illustrate with is common for examples, pictures, or supporting material.

identify-with-by-in-as, for "ignore by" or "ignore in"? illuminate by, with, at, for or in? "imagine for", "imagine by" or "imagine in"? imbue with, in, by or onto? immigrate to, from, in, with or into? impair by, for, in, because or throughout? "impart to", "impart in" or "impart by"? "impeach by" or "impeach for"? "impinge on" or "impinge upon"? "implement in" or "implement by"? "imply by" or "imply in"?

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