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Prepositions after verbs

Nurture by or nurture in?

Nurture usually takes a direct object. In can introduce the person or place where a quality develops.

Quick answer

Using nurture

We commonly say nurture a skill, relationship, or child. Nurture in is used in expressions like nurture confidence in children. Nurture by is uncommon as a fixed pattern.

Teachers should nurture creativity in students.
They nurtured a strong community over time.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
nurture + noun

Supporting growth

Nurture often takes a direct object.

Parents nurture independence gradually.
2
nurture + quality + in + person

Developing qualities

In introduces the person who develops the quality.

The programme nurtures confidence in teenagers.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
nurture by
Not a common fixed combination after nurture.
by may introduce a separate agent or method
nurture in
Good teachers nurture curiosity in children.
develop a quality inside someone

Common mistakes

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

Using by as the main pattern

Nurture rarely takes by directly after the verb.

✕ They nurtured by support. ✓ They nurtured the team with support.

Omitting the object

Nurture usually needs a direct object.

✕ The school nurtures in children. ✓ The school nurtures confidence in children.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The coach tried to nurture confidence ___ young players.
2. Parents should nurture ___ habits.
3. Which is standard?

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Frequently asked questions

Does nurture need a preposition?

Usually no. It commonly takes a direct object.

When do we use nurture in?

Use it when talking about qualities developed in someone.

Is nurture by correct?

Not usually as a fixed verb-preposition 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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