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Prepositions after verbs

Outnumber by, at or in

Outnumber is usually followed by by to show the numerical difference. At and in may appear separately as time or place expressions.

Quick answer

Which preposition is used with outnumber?

Use outnumber by to state the amount of difference between two groups. At and in are not standard complements after outnumber, though they can appear in separate time or place phrases.

Women outnumber men by two to one.
The visitors outnumbered the locals.
Students outnumbered teachers by more than 500.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
outnumber + group

Comparing two groups directly

Outnumber commonly takes a direct object without a preposition.

Tourists outnumbered residents during the festival.
Online sales outnumbered store purchases.
2
outnumber someone by + amount

Showing the numerical difference

By introduces the amount or ratio of difference.

The home team outnumbered the visitors by three players.
Adults outnumbered children by nearly two to one.
3
outnumber in + place or category

Adding location or category information

In can introduce a separate place or category phrase, not a fixed complement.

Women outnumber men in several departments.
Electric cars outnumbered diesel models in the survey.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
outnumber by
The army outnumbered its opponents by 5,000 troops.
Standard pattern for the numerical margin.
outnumber at
The guests outnumbered staff at the event.
At introduces the event or location, not a complement selected by outnumber.
outnumber in
Women outnumber men in the profession.
In introduces the area, place, or category where the comparison applies.
outnumber over
Applicants outnumbered available places by hundreds.
By, not over, normally expresses the amount of difference.

Common mistakes

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

Using at to express the numerical difference

Use by for the amount or ratio.

✕ They outnumbered us at ten people. ✓ They outnumbered us by ten people.

Adding an unnecessary preposition before the object

Outnumber takes a direct object.

✕ Women outnumbered over men in the field. ✓ Women outnumbered men in the field.

Confusing in with the main complement

In usually adds context such as place or category.

✓ Students outnumber teachers in many universities.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The attackers outnumbered the defenders ___ hundreds.
2. In the survey, cats outnumbered dogs ___ urban homes.
3. Tourists often ___ local residents during summer.

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Frequently asked questions

Can outnumber be used without by?

Yes. You can simply compare two groups: Visitors outnumber residents.

Is outnumber by used with ratios?

Yes. For example: Women outnumber men by two to one.

Can at follow outnumber?

Yes, but usually as part of a separate phrase such as at the event, not as the main complement of outnumber.

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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