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Prepositions after verbs

Nourish with or on?

Nourish often appears with with for what provides nourishment and on for a diet or source.

Quick answer

Common uses of nourish

Use nourish with for what supplies nutrients or support. Use nourish on for a diet or source of energy. The other combinations are uncommon as fixed patterns.

The soup nourished him with vitamins.
Some plants nourish themselves on insects.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
nourish with + nutrient

Providing nourishment

With introduces what gives physical or emotional support.

Parents should nourish children with healthy food.
2
nourish on + source

Living from a source

On introduces the source of nourishment.

The larvae nourish themselves on leaves.
3
nourish + idea or relationship

Supporting growth

Nourish can also be used figuratively.

Trust helps nourish strong friendships.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
nourish with
The cream nourishes the skin with oils.
provide something beneficial
nourish on
The animals nourish themselves on grass.
live or feed from a source
nourish by
Not a common fixed combination after nourish.
by may describe means separately
nourish in
Uncommon as a fixed pattern.
in usually introduces location or context
nourish for
Not a standard pattern after nourish.
for is not normally selected by nourish

Common mistakes

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

Using by after nourish

Use with or on in most cases.

✕ The drink nourished him by minerals. ✓ The drink nourished him with minerals.

Confusing on and with

On introduces a food source; with introduces what is provided.

✕ They nourished the baby on vitamins. ✓ They nourished the baby with vitamins.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The lotion nourishes the skin ___ natural oils.
2. Goats can nourish themselves ___ rough plants.
3. Which phrase is standard?

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Frequently asked questions

Can nourish be figurative?

Yes. It can describe emotional, intellectual, or social support.

What is the difference between nourish with and nourish on?

With introduces what is given, while on introduces the source someone lives from.

Is nourish by common?

No, not as a standard fixed combination.

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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