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Prepositions after verbs

Popularize by, in, among or to?

Popularize usually takes a direct object. Different prepositions can appear after it for different meanings, but some combinations are not natural.

Quick answer

Which combinations are standard?

Use popularize something among a group or in a place. By can introduce a method in passive structures. Popularize to is uncommon and usually replaced by among or for.

The campaign popularized cycling among students.
The dish was popularized in Europe during the 1990s.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
popularize + object

Making something widely liked

Popularize commonly takes a direct object without a preposition.

The show popularized the phrase worldwide.
Social media popularized short videos quickly.
2
popularize + object + among + group

Making something popular with people

Among introduces the group that adopts the thing.

The teacher popularized chess among teenagers.
The app popularized digital payments among tourists.
3
popularize + object + in + place

Making something popular in a region

In introduces a country, city, field, or community.

Immigrants popularized the food in Canada.
The singer popularized jazz in Asia.
4
be popularized by + source

Naming the person or medium responsible

By commonly appears in passive constructions.

The style was popularized by television.
The dance was popularized by young influencers.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
popularize among
The campaign popularized the idea among voters.
Standard for groups of people.
popularize in
The chef popularized the dish in Britain.
Standard for places or fields.
popularize by
The trend was popularized by bloggers.
Used in passive voice to show the source.
popularize to
The company popularized the game to children.
Less natural; among children or with children is usually better.

Common mistakes

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

Using to for broad groups

Among is usually more natural with groups of people.

✕ They popularized the game to teenagers. ✓ They popularized the game among teenagers.

Forgetting the direct object

Popularize normally needs something that becomes popular.

✕ The campaign popularized among students. ✓ The campaign popularized recycling among students.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The musician popularized reggae ___ Europe.
2. The app became popularized ___ influencers.
3. The club popularized coding ___ children.

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Frequently asked questions

Can popularize be used without a preposition?

Yes. Popularize often takes a direct object, such as popularize electric cars.

Is popularize to correct?

It is uncommon and often sounds awkward. Among or with is usually better.

When do we use by with popularize?

Mostly in passive structures such as was popularized by television.

pack-with-in-into-for, on paint in, on, with, by or for? "park in" or "park at"? "partake in" or "partake of"? pass through, by, on, in or to? pave with, in, by, for or to? pay for, to, by, in or on? "peddle by" or "peddle to"? "peek at" or "peek into"? "peel off" or "peel for"? "pee on" or "pee in"? "peer into", "peer through" or "peer at"?

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