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Prepositions after verbs

Intrigue by, with, as, at or in?

The verb intrigue is most commonly followed by by to show the cause of interest. Intrigue with is also used, especially in passive structures. Other combinations are uncommon or depend on a separate phrase in the sentence.

Quick answer

Which preposition goes with intrigue?

Use intrigue by to show what causes fascination or curiosity: We were intrigued by the design. Intrigue with is also possible, especially when describing a feature that creates interest. Intrigue as, intrigue at, and intrigue in are not standard verb-preposition combinations with intrigue.

She was intrigued by the old map.
The scientist was intrigued with the unusual results.
Many readers are intrigued by the ending.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
intrigued by + cause

Showing what creates curiosity

Use by to name the thing that causes interest or fascination.

I was intrigued by his explanation.
Tourists are often intrigued by the local legends.
2
intrigued with + feature

Focusing on a specific aspect

With appears mainly in passive structures when attention is directed to a feature or detail.

The team was intrigued with the new approach.
She became intrigued with the puzzle's structure.
3
intrigue + object

Using intrigue without a preposition

Intrigue can directly take an object.

The proposal intrigued me immediately.
Ancient history intrigues many students.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
intrigued by
We were intrigued by the photograph.
Standard way to show the source of curiosity.
intrigued with
He was intrigued with the software's design.
Less common but natural when focusing on a feature or detail.
intrigued as
They described her as intrigued, not bored.
As does not normally follow intrigue directly; it may belong to another structure.
intrigued at
She was intrigued at the idea of living abroad.
Possible in some contexts, but by is much more idiomatic.
intrigued in
They were intrigued in the discussion.
Nonstandard for this meaning; interested in is the natural choice.

Common mistakes

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

Using in after intrigued

Use by for the cause of curiosity, not in.

✕ She was intrigued in the story. ✓ She was intrigued by the story.

Using as directly after intrigue

As usually belongs to a different structure.

✕ The film intrigued as its ending. ✓ The film intrigued viewers with its ending.

Forgetting the direct object

Intrigue often takes a direct object without a preposition.

✕ The idea intrigued. ✓ The idea intrigued me.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. We were intrigued ___ the strange message.
2. She was intrigued ___ the app's simple design.
3. Ancient myths ___ many readers.

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Frequently asked questions

Is intrigued by more common than intrigued with?

Yes. Intrigued by is the standard and most widely used pattern.

Can I say intrigued in something?

Not usually. Use interested in for general interest, or intrigued by for curiosity caused by something.

Does intrigue need a preposition?

No. The verb can directly take an object, as in The story intrigued me.

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