persecute + person/group
Describe systematic mistreatment
Persecute takes a direct object referring to victims.
The government persecuted journalists for years.
How to use persecute with prepositions
Persecute usually takes a direct object such as a person or group. For commonly introduces the reason for persecution.
Quick answer
Correct use of persecute
Use persecute someone for something to give the reason for mistreatment. By usually appears in passive structures to identify the persecutor.
Many people were persecuted for their beliefs.
The minority was persecuted by the regime.
The minority was persecuted by the regime.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
persecute for + reason
Give the cause of persecution
For introduces beliefs, identity, or actions.
They were persecuted for their religion.
persecuted by + agent
Name the persecutor
By identifies who carried out the persecution in passive voice.
The community was persecuted by local authorities.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
persecute by
The group was persecuted by extremists.
By introduces the agent in a passive sentence.
persecute for
He was persecuted for his political opinions.
For introduces the reason or cause.
persecute because of
Families were persecuted because of their ethnicity.
Because of is a more explicit alternative for giving reasons.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using by in active voice as a fixed pattern
Persecute does not normally take by directly after it in active voice.
✕ They persecuted by religion. ✓ They persecuted people because of religion.Omitting the object
Persecute usually needs a person or group as the object.
✕ The regime persecuted for years. ✓ The regime persecuted dissidents for years.Confusing reason and agent
For gives the reason, while by identifies the persecutor.
✓ The activists were persecuted by the state for their views.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. They were persecuted ___ their faith.
2. The minority was persecuted ___ the military government.
3. Which sentence is most natural?
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Frequently asked questions
What does persecute mean?
It means to treat someone cruelly or unfairly over time, often because of identity, beliefs, or politics.
Can persecute be used in active and passive voice?
Yes. Active voice focuses on the persecutor, while passive voice focuses on the victims.
Is persecute for common?
Yes. It is the standard way to express the reason for persecution.
Related preposition guides
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