Sign In Get Started
Prepositions after verbs

How to use prepositions with renew

Renew is often used with objects such as contracts, passports, or subscriptions. Different prepositions add different meanings.

Quick answer

Which prepositions are used with renew?

Renew for is standard when extending something for a period. Renew by usually introduces a deadline. Renew in is not a common fixed combination, though in can introduce a time phrase.

We need to renew the lease for another year
Please renew your licence by Friday
The membership can be renewed in April

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
renew something for + period

Extending duration

Use for to show the new period of validity.

She renewed the contract for six months
2
renew something by + deadline

Setting a deadline

By shows the latest time when renewal must happen.

You must renew your passport by 30 June
3
renew in + month/year

Adding a time phrase

In can show when renewal happens, not a fixed verb-preposition pattern.

Most members renew in January
4
renew + object

Using renew without a preposition

Many sentences use renew directly with the object.

I need to renew my subscription

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
renew for
They renewed the agreement for two years.
extend something for a period
renew by
Please renew your membership by Monday.
complete renewal before a deadline
renew in
We usually renew in December.
in introduces a time expression
renew + object
She renewed her visa.
direct-object pattern without a preposition

Common mistakes

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

Using renew in for duration

Use for, not in, to show the length of renewal.

✕ They renewed the licence in one year. ✓ They renewed the licence for one year.

Confusing by with duration

By gives a deadline, not a renewal period.

✕ We renewed the plan by six months. ✓ We renewed the plan for six months.

Adding an unnecessary preposition

Renew often works directly with an object.

✕ I renewed for my passport. ✓ I renewed my passport.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. They renewed the contract ___ another year.
2. Please renew your ID card ___ Friday.
3. Most customers renew ___ January.

Check your sentence in context

Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

Free to try · No signup required

Frequently asked questions

Can renew be used without a preposition?

Yes. Renew commonly takes a direct object: renew a passport or subscription.

Is renew in correct?

Only when in introduces a time phrase such as a month or year.

What is the difference between renew for and renew by?

Renew for gives a duration, while renew by gives a deadline.

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"?

Write with confidence in Linguix

Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.

Create a free account