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Prepositions after verbs

How to use overtake with prepositions

Overtake usually takes a direct object. Prepositions after it often add information about amount, place, or method.

Quick answer

Quick answer

Use overtake someone or something directly. By often shows the amount of difference, while in, on, with, and at usually introduce separate details such as place or means.

overtake a competitor
Sales overtook expectations by 20 percent.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
overtake + object

Who or what passes another?

Overtake commonly takes a direct object without a preposition.

overtake the leading team
overtake slower traffic
2
overtake + object + by + amount

By how much?

By introduces the margin or difference.

overtake rivals by two points
overtake the target by 5 percent
3
overtake + object + on + road or side

Where does the passing happen?

On often refers to a road or side.

overtake a truck on the highway
overtake another car on the left
4
overtake + object + with + vehicle or speed

How is the passing achieved?

With can introduce the means or quality used.

overtake the cyclist with ease
overtake competitors with better technology

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
overtake by
The company overtook its rival by a large margin.
By shows the amount of difference.
overtake in
Japan overtook the country in exports.
In introduces the area or category.
overtake on
Do not overtake on a sharp bend.
On introduces the road position or surface.
overtake with
The team overtook competitors with stronger marketing.
With introduces means or advantage.
overtake at
The driver tried to overtake at high speed.
At introduces speed, time, or condition.

Common mistakes

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

Using a preposition before the object

Overtake directly takes the thing or person passed.

✕ She overtook over the bus. ✓ She overtook the bus.

Confusing by and with

By usually gives the amount of difference.

✕ They overtook the leader with three points. ✓ They overtook the leader by three points.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The runner overtook his rival ___ two seconds.
2. It is dangerous to overtake ___ a blind corner.
3. The company overtook competitors ___ innovative software.

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Frequently asked questions

Does overtake need a preposition?

Usually no. It commonly takes a direct object.

Can I say overtake by?

Yes. By is natural when showing the margin or amount.

What does overtake in mean?

In usually introduces the area or category, such as overtake another country in production.

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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