include + item
Listing parts or elements
Include commonly takes a direct object without a preposition.
The fee includes breakfast.
Include with prepositions
Include is often used with in or as. Other prepositions may appear in specific contexts.
Quick answer
How is include used with prepositions?
Use include in for membership or participation and include as for roles or categories. On, for, and with usually add separate information rather than forming fixed combinations.
They included her in the discussion.
The package includes free delivery.
The package includes free delivery.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
include someone in + activity
Adding a person to a group or activity
Use in for participation or membership.
Please include me in the email chain.
include as + role/category
Naming a role or classification
As identifies how something is treated or described.
The report includes solar energy as a long-term option.
include with + package/order
Adding accompanying items
With may introduce accompanying material, although it is not a fixed pattern selected by include.
The camera was shipped with a charger included.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
include in
They included him in the project.
make someone part of a group or activity
include as
The menu includes tofu as a protein option.
identify a role or category
include on
She was included on the guest list.
on belongs to guest list, not directly to include
include for
The ticket price includes taxes for all passengers.
for introduces the beneficiary, not a fixed pattern
include with
The software includes a guide with installation tips.
with adds accompanying information
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using include in for simple lists
No preposition is needed before the thing included.
✕ The course includes in grammar lessons. ✓ The course includes grammar lessons.Confusing include in and include on
Use in for participation; on may belong to another noun.
✓ She was included in the planning meeting.Using include as without a category
As should identify a role or description.
✕ They included as the manager. ✓ They included her as the manager's representative.Adding unnecessary prepositions
Include often works directly with its object.
✕ The plan includes with extra support. ✓ The plan includes extra support.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. Please include Maya ___ the meeting invitation.
2. The package includes snacks ___ children.
3. The report includes wind power ___ a possible solution.
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Frequently asked questions
Do we always need a preposition after include?
No. Include often takes a direct object, such as include breakfast or include taxes.
Is include in the most common pattern?
It is very common when talking about participation or membership.
Can include on be correct?
Yes, when on belongs to another noun phrase, such as on the list.
Related preposition guides
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