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Prepositions after verbs

Notice in, about, on, or to?

Notice often takes a direct object. Some prepositions are possible in specific contexts.

Quick answer

Using notice

We usually say notice something directly. Notice in can refer to location, notice about introduces a topic, and notice on appears in signs or announcements. Notice to is mainly a noun pattern.

Did you notice the change?
I noticed in the report that profits had fallen.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
notice + noun

Seeing or becoming aware

Notice commonly takes a direct object.

She noticed the smell immediately.
2
notice in + place or document

Finding something inside something

In introduces the place where something is observed.

He noticed in the article that the figures were wrong.
3
notice about + topic

Becoming aware of a subject

About introduces the topic noticed.

They noticed something about his voice.
4
notice on + surface

Seeing something displayed

On often refers to a sign, wall, or screen.

I noticed a warning on the door.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
notice in
She noticed in the email that the date had changed.
become aware inside a source
notice by
He noticed her by the window.
by usually expresses location, not a fixed pattern
notice about
I noticed something about his attitude.
become aware of a topic or feature
notice on
We noticed a crack on the wall.
see something located on a surface
notice to
Notice to customers was posted outside.
mainly used with the noun notice, not the verb

Common mistakes

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

Using to after the verb

Notice to is generally a noun pattern.

✕ I noticed to him the problem. ✓ I pointed out the problem to him.

Adding unnecessary about

Notice often takes a direct object.

✕ She noticed about the noise. ✓ She noticed the noise.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Did you ___ the difference?
2. I noticed a stain ___ the carpet.
3. She noticed something strange ___ his behaviour.

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Frequently asked questions

Does notice need a preposition?

Usually no. We often say notice something directly.

Is notice to correct?

Mostly as a noun phrase such as notice to employees, not after the verb notice.

Can by follow notice?

Yes, but usually as a location phrase, such as by the door.

nag, at, nag, for, nag, about "narrate by", "narrate from" or "narrate on"? "navigate to" or "navigate through"? necessitate by, at, after, because or due? negate by, because, from, in or with? "neglect by" or "neglect in"? negotiate with, for, in, on or by? nestle in, on, between, among or within? nibble on, at, around, as or by? nod in, to, at, with or along? "nominate for" or "nominate by"? "note in", "note for" or "note by"?

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