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Prepositions after verbs

Insult by or insult to?

Insult to is common with the noun insult. By usually introduces the action or means that caused the insult.

Quick answer

How insult works with prepositions

Use insult someone directly as a verb. Use an insult to someone as a noun phrase. By can introduce the thing that caused offence.

They insulted the audience.
The remark was an insult to her family.
She felt insulted by the comment.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
insult + person

Offend someone directly

The verb insult usually takes a direct object without a preposition.

He insulted his colleague in public.
2
an insult to + person

Describe something offensive

Use to after the noun insult.

The decision was an insult to local residents.
3
insulted by + action

Show the cause of offence

Use by after insulted to show what caused the feeling.

She was insulted by their laughter.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
insult by
He insulted her by ignoring her contribution.
By introduces the means or action causing offence.
insult to
The article was an insult to the community.
Standard noun pattern.

Common mistakes

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

Adding to after the verb insult

The verb insult usually takes a direct object.

✕ They insulted to the guests. ✓ They insulted the guests.

Using by after the noun insult

The noun insult commonly takes to, not by.

✕ The joke was an insult by her. ✓ The joke was an insult to her.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The comment was an insult ___ the team.
2. She felt insulted ___ his behaviour.
3. The speaker insulted ___ audience.

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Frequently asked questions

Do we say insult someone or insult to someone?

Use insult someone as a verb and an insult to someone as a noun phrase.

What does insulted by mean?

It identifies the thing that caused offence.

Can by follow insult?

Yes, especially after insulted, as in insulted by the remark.

identify-with-by-in-as, for "ignore by" or "ignore in"? illuminate by, with, at, for or in? "illustrate by" or "illustrate 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"?

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