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Prepositions after verbs

Proclaim to, by, or in?

Proclaim is often followed by a direct object. To, by, and in add different meanings such as audience, method, or style.

Quick answer

Which preposition is used with proclaim?

Proclaim to can introduce the audience receiving the announcement. Proclaim by usually refers to the method or authority used to make something official. Proclaim in describes the language, tone, or medium.

The king proclaimed peace to the nation.
The holiday was proclaimed by royal decree.
The message was proclaimed in several languages.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
proclaim something to + audience

Announcing something publicly

Use to for the people receiving the proclamation.

She proclaimed her innocence to reporters outside the court.
2
proclaim something by + method

Showing how a proclamation is made

By introduces the means, authority, or instrument.

The emergency was proclaimed by executive order.
3
proclaim something in + language/style

Describing the form of the proclamation

Use in for language, tone, or medium.

The warning was proclaimed in bold letters.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
proclaim to
The leader proclaimed victory to the crowd.
To introduces the audience.
proclaim by
The policy was proclaimed by government notice.
By shows the method or authority.
proclaim in
The speech was proclaimed in English and French.
In shows language or form.
proclaim as
The city was proclaimed as the new capital.
As introduces a role or status.

Common mistakes

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

Using by for the audience

Use to for the people hearing the announcement.

✕ She proclaimed the news by the public. ✓ She proclaimed the news to the public.

Confusing in with location

In often describes language or style after proclaim.

✓ The decision was proclaimed in formal terms.

Omitting the object unnecessarily

Proclaim usually takes an object such as victory, independence, or innocence.

✓ They proclaimed independence yesterday.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The president proclaimed the change ___ the nation.
2. The new law was proclaimed ___ official notice.
3. The announcement was proclaimed ___ three languages.

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Frequently asked questions

Can proclaim be used without a preposition?

Yes. It commonly takes a direct object: proclaim victory, proclaim independence.

Is proclaim formal?

Yes. It is more formal than say or announce.

What is the difference between proclaim to and proclaim in?

To refers to the audience, while in refers to the language, style, or medium.

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