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Prepositions after verbs

Remark on, to, in, about or at?

Remark is commonly followed by on or about for topics, and to for the listener.

Quick answer

Common uses of remark

Use remark on or remark about for the subject of a comment. Use remark to for the person receiving the comment. In and at are usually not direct complements after remark.

She remarked on the weather.
He remarked about the delays.
I remarked to my colleague that the office was quiet.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
remark on + topic

Commenting on something

Remark on is formal and common for discussing a subject.

The report remarked on recent changes in policy.
Several guests remarked on the excellent food.
2
remark about + topic

Making a comment about something

Remark about is slightly less formal and often used in conversation.

She remarked about the traffic.
He remarked about the cost of repairs.
3
remark to + person

Addressing a comment to someone

Use remark to before the listener.

The manager remarked to the staff that sales had improved.
She remarked to me that the room looked different.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
remark on
The article remarks on climate policy.
comment on a topic formally
remark about
He remarked about the noise.
make a comment about something
remark to
She remarked to her friend that it was late.
direct a comment to someone
remark in
In is not usually used directly after remark for the topic of a comment.
nonstandard as a direct complement
remark at
At is uncommon directly after remark, though at can introduce a target in other structures.
generally not the standard complement

Common mistakes

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

Using remark in for a topic

Use on or about to introduce the subject of a remark.

✕ He remarked in the price increase. ✓ He remarked on the price increase.

Confusing the listener and the topic

Use to for the person and on/about for the subject.

✕ She remarked to the weather. ✓ She remarked on the weather.

Using remark at as the main pattern

Remark at is not the normal complement pattern in current English.

✕ They remarked at his accent. ✓ They remarked on his accent.

Forgetting the clause after remark to

Remark to is often followed by a person and then a clause.

✕ He remarked to me the delay. ✓ He remarked to me that there was a delay.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The professor remarked ___ the importance of clear writing.
2. She remarked ___ me that the office was empty.
3. He remarked ___ the long wait during dinner.

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Frequently asked questions

Is remark on more formal than remark about?

Yes. Remark on often sounds more formal or academic.

Can I use remark without a preposition?

Yes. You can say He remarked that the meeting was short.

Is remark at correct?

It is uncommon as a direct complement after remark. On or about are usually better choices.

radiate-from-into-around-to, with "raise in" or "raise by"? rake in, through, across, at or over? rally in, around, to, behind or on? "rape by" or "rape in"? ratify by, in, on, according or as? ravage by, from, on, through or with? rave about, at, from, to or before? reach for, by, at, to or into? react to, with, in, by or like? read about, in, on, through or for? "realize in", "realize at" or "realize by"?

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