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Prepositions after verbs

How to use promulgate with by and in

Promulgate usually takes a direct object such as a law or policy. By and in often introduce method, authority, or publication context.

Quick answer

Main usage

Use promulgate directly with a law, rule, or idea. Promulgate by and promulgate in are not common fixed patterns, although by and in can appear in related phrases.

The government promulgated new regulations yesterday.
The decree was promulgated by the president.
The rules were promulgated in the official journal.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
promulgate + law or rule

Officially announcing rules

Promulgate commonly takes a direct object without a preposition.

The authority promulgated safety standards nationwide.
The agency promulgated new guidelines last month.
2
promulgated by + authority

Showing who issued something

By introduces the person or institution responsible.

The regulation was promulgated by parliament.
The order was promulgated by the ministry.
3
promulgated in + publication

Showing where something appeared

In introduces the document or publication where the text was issued.

The law was promulgated in the official gazette.
The decree was promulgated in a public notice.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
promulgate a law
The government promulgated a new tax code.
Standard direct-object structure.
promulgate by
The rule was promulgated by the central authority.
By introduces the issuing authority in passive structures.
promulgate in
The decision was promulgated in an official bulletin.
In introduces the publication or context.
promulgate to the public
Officials promulgated the policy to the public.
To can introduce the audience receiving the information.

Common mistakes

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

Adding unnecessary by after active promulgate

Promulgate usually takes a direct object in active sentences.

✕ The council promulgated by new rules. ✓ The council promulgated new rules.

Using in before the law itself

In normally introduces a publication or context.

✕ They promulgated in a new constitution. ✓ They promulgated a new constitution.

Confusing promulgate with publish

Promulgate is formal and often refers to official rules or doctrines.

✕ She promulgated her holiday photos online. ✓ She published her holiday photos online.

Omitting the object

Promulgate usually needs something that is officially announced.

✕ The ministry promulgated yesterday. ✓ The ministry promulgated new regulations yesterday.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The government promulgated ___ regulations.
2. The decree was promulgated ___ the king.
3. The law was promulgated ___ the official gazette.

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Frequently asked questions

Does promulgate need a preposition?

Usually no. It commonly takes a direct object such as a law, decree, or policy.

When is promulgated by used?

It is common in passive structures to identify the issuing authority.

Can promulgate in be correct?

Yes, when in introduces a publication, document, or context where something was officially announced.

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