publish in + publication
Naming where something appears
In introduces the journal, newspaper, website, or collection.
The study was published in Nature.
How to use publish with in and by
Publish in is used for magazines, journals, newspapers, and websites. Publish by is not normally an active verb pattern, but by appears in passive structures to name the publisher or author.
Quick answer
Key difference
Use publish in to name the place where something appears. Use published by in passive sentences to identify the publisher or author. Publish by is generally not used as an active combination.
Her article was published in a medical journal.
The novel was published by a small press.
The novel was published by a small press.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
published by + publisher
Naming the publisher
By introduces the company or person responsible in passive voice.
The textbook was published by Oxford University Press.
publish + object
Using publish directly
Publish can take a direct object without a preposition.
The company plans to publish the report next month.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
publish in
She published in several academic journals.
appear in a publication
publish by
The book was published by a local company.
by introduces the publisher in passive voice
publish on
The article was published on the website.
on is used for digital platforms or dates
publish with
He hopes to publish with a major publisher.
with identifies the publishing company someone works with
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using publish by in active voice
Publish by is not normally used directly after the active verb publish.
✕ They publish by a university press. ✓ They publish books through a university press.Confusing in and by
In names the publication; by names the publisher.
✕ The paper was published by Science journal. ✓ The paper was published in Science journal.Forgetting passive structure with by
By usually appears with be published.
✕ She published by Penguin. ✓ She was published by Penguin.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The article was published ___ an international journal.
2. The memoir was published ___ a small independent press.
3. They plan to publish the report ___ their website tomorrow.
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Frequently asked questions
Is publish in used for journals?
Yes. Publish in is standard for journals, magazines, newspapers, and similar publications.
Can I say publish by in active voice?
Usually no. By is mainly used in passive structures such as was published by.
What is the difference between published in and published by?
Published in names where the work appeared. Published by names the company or person that issued it.
Related preposition guides
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