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Prepositions after verbs

Overthrow by or overthrow in?

Use overthrow directly with an object. By is common in passive sentences, while in usually introduces time, place, or situation.

Quick answer

Quick answer

Say overthrow a government or be overthrown by rebels. Use in only for context such as place or time.

overthrow the regime
The king was overthrown by military officers.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
overthrow + government or ruler

What is removed from power?

Overthrow usually takes a direct object.

overthrow the monarchy
overthrow the ruling party
2
be overthrown by + group

Who caused the overthrow?

By is common in passive structures.

The president was overthrown by rebel forces.
The government was overthrown by a coup.
3
overthrow + object + in + place or time

Where or when did it happen?

In introduces context, not a fixed complement.

overthrow the regime in 1979
overthrow the government in the capital

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
overthrow by
The dictator was overthrown by the army.
By names the agent in a passive sentence.
overthrow in
The regime was overthrown in a violent uprising.
In introduces the situation or context.
overthrow + object
The rebels planned to overthrow the government.
Standard active structure without a preposition.

Common mistakes

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

Using by in active sentences

By usually belongs to passive forms.

✕ They overthrew by the army the regime. ✓ They overthrew the regime.

Treating in as the main complement

In usually adds time, place, or situation.

✕ They overthrew in the government. ✓ They overthrew the government.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The king was overthrown ___ revolutionaries.
2. They planned to overthrow ___ government.
3. The regime was overthrown ___ 1986.

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Frequently asked questions

Does overthrow normally use a preposition?

No. It usually takes a direct object.

Why is by common with overthrow?

By is used in passive sentences to show who caused the overthrow.

Can I use in after overthrow?

Yes, for time, place, or situation expressions such as in 1990 or in a revolt.

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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