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Prepositions after verbs

Intersperse with, between, by, throughout, or across?

Intersperse with is the standard pattern when mixing one thing among another. Other prepositions often describe distribution or location.

Quick answer

Which preposition is standard?

Use intersperse with to describe mixing or scattering one thing among another. Throughout and across usually describe distribution in space or text.

The author interspersed the article with humour.
Trees were interspersed throughout the valley.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
intersperse + object + with + thing

Mixing one thing among another

Use with for the material or element added.

She interspersed the speech with personal stories.
2
intersperse throughout + place/text

Showing wide distribution

Throughout emphasizes that things are spread across an entire area.

Small villages were interspersed throughout the region.
3
intersperse across + area

Describing spread over a surface or region

Across highlights distribution over an area.

Solar farms are interspersed across the desert.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
intersperse with
The report is interspersed with diagrams.
mix or scatter among something
intersperse between
Intersperse between is uncommon as a direct pattern.
between may describe position between items
intersperse by
Intersperse by is not a standard pattern.
use with for added material
intersperse throughout
Flowers were interspersed throughout the garden.
spread through an entire area
intersperse across
Cafes are interspersed across the district.
spread over an area

Common mistakes

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

Using intersperse by

Use with for the added element.

✕ The text was interspersed by jokes. ✓ The text was interspersed with jokes.

Using between as the main complement

Between usually describes location, not the standard complement after intersperse.

✕ She interspersed the essay between quotations. ✓ She interspersed the essay with quotations.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The documentary is interspersed ___ interviews.
2. Small lakes are interspersed ___ the forest.
3. Art installations are interspersed ___ the city centre.

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Frequently asked questions

Is intersperse formal?

Yes. It is more formal than mix in or scatter among.

Can intersperse be used in passive voice?

Yes. Passive forms such as interspersed with examples are very common.

What is the difference between intersperse and scatter?

Intersperse emphasizes deliberate placement among other things, while scatter is broader and less controlled.

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