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Prepositions after verbs

Using "link" with prepositions

Link commonly takes to or with when showing connection. Other prepositions may appear in specific contexts or as separate adjuncts.

Quick answer

Most common patterns with "link"

Use link to for direct connections and link with for association. Link in and link on are uncommon as fixed combinations. By often introduces the method of linking rather than a selected preposition after the verb.

The report links to earlier research.
The disease is linked with poor nutrition.
The files are linked by a secure network.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
link to + thing

Showing a direct connection

Use link to for physical, digital, logical, or causal connections.

This button links to the payment page.
2
link with + person/idea

Showing association

Link with often means be associated or connected with something.

The brand is strongly linked with luxury travel.
3
link by + method

Showing means of connection

By introduces the method or channel used to connect things.

The islands are linked by ferry services.
4
link in + chain/system

Referring to a role inside a larger structure

In usually belongs to a larger phrase such as link in the chain, not a fixed verb-preposition pattern.

She became a key link in the supply chain.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
link to
The article links to a government website.
Directly connect one thing to another.
link with
The campaign is linked with several charities.
Associate or connect with.
link in
He is a weak link in the process.
Part of a larger sequence; not usually a verb-preposition pattern.
link by
The towns are linked by rail.
Connected through a method or route.
link on
The lamp switches on by voice command.
On is generally not used directly after link as a standard pattern.

Common mistakes

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

Using "link on" for connection

Standard English normally uses link to or link with.

✕ The page links on our homepage. ✓ The page links to our homepage.

Confusing association and method

With shows association; by shows means.

✕ The villages are linked with a bridge. ✓ The villages are linked by a bridge.

Dropping the needed preposition

Link usually needs a following preposition before the connected item.

✕ The study links climate change economic loss. ✓ The study links climate change to economic loss.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. This menu links ___ the customer portal.
2. The singer is closely linked ___ the movement.
3. The two cities are linked ___ a highway.

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Frequently asked questions

Is "linked to" more common than "linked with"?

Both are standard. Linked to often sounds more direct or technical, while linked with emphasizes association.

Can "link" be a noun?

Yes. For example: "There is a strong link between the two events."

Is "link on" ever correct?

Not usually as a fixed pattern after the verb link. On may appear later in the sentence for another reason.

label, as, label, with lag behind, in, from, on or by? "land on" or "land in"? languish in, at, on, for or near? last for, from, until, in or through? "latch onto" or "latch on"? laugh at, with, about, in or for? launch in, by, on, at or into? "lay on" or "lay in"? lead to, by, up, in or from? "leak to" or "leak from"? lean on, towards, against, toward or to?

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