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Prepositions after verbs

Record in, on, or by?

Record on is common for devices and media. Record in often refers to language, format, or official documents. Record by usually introduces the method or agent.

Quick answer

How record combines with prepositions

Use record on for media or platforms, such as record on tape. Use record in for languages, categories, or official records. Use record by when describing the person or method making the record.

The interview was recorded on video.
The agreement was recorded in writing.
Attendance was recorded by the receptionist.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
record on + medium

Storing audio or video

On is used with physical or digital media.

The concert was recorded on a smartphone.
The lesson is recorded on the platform for later viewing.
2
record in + form/document

Writing or documenting information

In is common for language, format, or official records.

The decision was recorded in the minutes.
Her name was recorded in French on the certificate.
3
record by + agent/method

Showing who or what made the record

By introduces the doer or method in passive structures.

Each entry was recorded by hand.
Votes were recorded by election officials.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
record on
They recorded the song on tape.
store something using a medium or device
record in
The results were recorded in a spreadsheet.
write or place information inside a document or system
record by
The data was recorded by sensors.
show the agent or method
record at
The band recorded at a studio in Berlin.
at expresses location, not the main complement pattern
record into
She recorded notes into the app.
into can describe movement of information into a system

Common mistakes

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

Using on for written records

For documents and official entries, in is usually better.

✕ The details were recorded on the report. ✓ The details were recorded in the report.

Confusing by with the recording medium

By introduces an agent or method, not storage media.

✕ The lecture was recorded by video. ✓ The lecture was recorded on video.

Using in for devices

Devices and media usually take on.

✕ The podcast was recorded in a phone. ✓ The podcast was recorded on a phone.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The interview was recorded ___ tape.
2. The comments were recorded ___ the meeting notes.
3. The temperature was recorded ___ automated sensors.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I say record on paper?

Yes. On paper refers to writing on a physical surface, while in a report or in writing refers to a document or format.

Why do we say recorded on video?

On is used for storage media and platforms where audio or video is kept.

Is record by always passive?

Usually, yes. It commonly appears in passive structures such as was recorded by staff.

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