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Prepositions after verbs

Ordain with by, in, and for

Ordain is common in religious and formal contexts. Different prepositions add information about the agent, role, or purpose.

Quick answer

How ordain is used

Ordain usually means officially appointing someone to a religious office or formally establishing something. Ordained by is common in passive sentences. Ordained for can describe a role or purpose. In often introduces a field or tradition rather than a fixed pattern.

She was ordained by the bishop
He was ordained for ministry
They were ordained in the Anglican Church

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
ordained by + authority

Naming who performed the ordination

By is standard in passive constructions.

The priest was ordained by the archbishop
She was ordained by her church community
2
ordain + person

Appointing someone formally

Ordain commonly takes a direct object without a preposition.

The church decided to ordain new ministers
They ordained her as a deacon
3
ordained for + role

Showing a purpose or calling

For can introduce the role or service someone is intended for.

He felt ordained for public service
She was ordained for missionary work
4
ordained in + tradition

Referring to a religious context

In can introduce the religious body or tradition where ordination happened.

He was ordained in the Lutheran Church
She was ordained in a small rural parish

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
ordain by
The minister was ordained by the bishop.
Standard passive structure naming the authority.
ordain in
She was ordained in the Methodist Church.
In introduces the religious tradition or setting.
ordain for
He was ordained for pastoral work.
For expresses purpose or intended role.
ordain to
They ordained her to the priesthood.
A common alternative showing the office or rank given.

Common mistakes

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

Leaving out the object

Ordain normally needs a person or role.

✕ They ordained for service. ✓ They ordained him for service.

Using by in active voice incorrectly

By usually follows passive forms.

✕ The bishop ordained by the church. ✓ The bishop was ordained by the church.

Confusing in with purpose

In refers to a context or tradition, not a goal.

✕ She was ordained in charity work. ✓ She was ordained for charity work.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The priest was ordained ___ the archbishop.
2. He was ordained ___ missionary work.
3. She was ordained ___ the Anglican Church.

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Frequently asked questions

Is ordained by correct?

Yes. It is the standard way to name who performed the ordination.

Can ordain be used outside religion?

Yes, in formal language it can also mean officially establish or decree something.

What is the difference between ordained in and ordained for?

Ordained in refers to the church or context, while ordained for refers to a purpose or role.

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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