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Prepositions after verbs

How to use inaugurate

Inaugurate is usually used without a fixed preposition. In and by often introduce extra information such as place or method.

Quick answer

Does inaugurate take in or by?

Inaugurate normally takes a direct object: inaugurate a building, inaugurate a policy. In and by may appear as separate adjuncts, such as place or method, rather than fixed verb-preposition combinations.

The president inaugurated the new museum.
The festival was inaugurated by the mayor.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
inaugurate + project/event

Officially beginning something

Use inaugurate directly with the thing being formally opened or started.

The city will inaugurate a new transport system.
2
inaugurate by + method/action

Showing how something begins

By can introduce the means or opening action.

They inaugurated the campaign by holding a public concert.
3
inaugurate in + place/time

Adding location or time information

In may describe where or when the inauguration happens, not a fixed verb pattern.

The programme was inaugurated in April.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
inaugurate
The university inaugurated a new research centre.
officially begin or open something
inaugurate by
They inaugurated the season by hosting a parade.
by introduces the method or first action
inaugurate in
The policy was inaugurated in 2024.
in introduces time or place information
be inaugurated by
The bridge was inaugurated by the king.
passive structure naming the person performing the ceremony

Common mistakes

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

Treating inaugurate in as a fixed pattern

In usually adds place or time information rather than completing the verb.

✓ The centre was inaugurated in June.

Adding an unnecessary preposition

Inaugurate often takes a direct object with no preposition.

✕ They inaugurated to the programme. ✓ They inaugurated the programme.

Confusing inaugurate with invest

Inaugurate means formally begin or open.

✕ She was inaugurated as manager yesterday. ✓ She was appointed manager yesterday.

Using by without an action

By should introduce a means, method, or agent.

✕ They inaugurated by the policy. ✓ They inaugurated the policy.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The museum was inaugurated ___ the president.
2. They inaugurated the campaign ___ holding a rally.
3. The programme was inaugurated ___ May.

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Frequently asked questions

Does inaugurate need a preposition?

Usually no. The verb commonly takes a direct object.

Is inaugurate by correct?

Yes, when by introduces a method or the agent in a passive structure.

Can inaugurate in be correct?

Yes, but in normally gives time or place information rather than forming a fixed expression with inaugurate.

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