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Prepositions after verbs

Opt for, out, into, to, or in

Opt combines with several particles and prepositions. Each combination has a different meaning related to choice or participation.

Quick answer

Which prepositions go with opt?

Use opt for to choose something, opt out to decide not to participate, and opt into to choose participation. Opt to is followed by an infinitive verb. Opt in is also common, especially without an object.

She opted for the cheaper ticket
Several users opted out of marketing emails
Employees can opt into the pension plan
He opted to work from home

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
opt for + choice

Choosing one option

Use opt for when selecting something.

Many travellers opt for direct flights
She opted for a digital subscription
2
opt out of + activity

Refusing participation

Use opt out of when deciding not to join or continue something.

You can opt out of email notifications
Several members opted out of the program
3
opt into + system

Choosing to participate

Use opt into when voluntarily joining a system or arrangement.

Staff may opt into additional training
Customers can opt into text alerts
4
opt to + verb

Choosing an action

Use opt to before an infinitive verb.

They opted to delay the launch
I opted to study online
5
opt in

Joining without a stated object

Opt in can stand alone when the context is already clear.

Users must opt in before sharing data
Only a few participants opted in last year

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
opt for
She opted for the annual plan.
choose one option
opt out
He opted out of the survey.
choose not to participate
opt into
They opted into the scheme.
choose to participate
opt to
We opted to wait.
choose to do something
opt in
Customers must opt in.
agree to participate

Common mistakes

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

Using opt for with verbs

Use opt to before verbs, not opt for.

✕ She opted for stay home. ✓ She opted to stay home.

Forgetting of after opt out

Opt out is commonly followed by of before the activity.

✕ He opted out the program. ✓ He opted out of the program.

Confusing opt in and opt into

Use opt into before a noun object.

✕ They opted in the scheme. ✓ They opted into the scheme.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Many customers opt ___ paperless billing.
2. You may opt ___ receiving promotional emails.
3. She opted ___ work remotely.

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Frequently asked questions

What does opt for mean?

Opt for means choose or select something.

Is opt out always followed by of?

Usually yes when an object follows, as in opt out of the service.

What is the difference between opt in and opt into?

Opt into takes an object, while opt in often stands alone.

oblige-to-by-with-in, for obscure by, for, from, in or to? observe in, by, on, with or for? "obsess about" or "obsess over"? "obtain from" or "obtain by"? occupy by, with, in, for or at? occur in, to, at, on or during? offend by, at, in, against or with? "offer by" or "offer to"? offset by, from, with, for or against? "omit from" or "omit by"? "open in" or "open to"?

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