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Prepositions after verbs

Rescue from or rescue by?

Rescue from is the standard pattern for danger or difficulty. Rescue by is not usually used after the active verb, but by appears in passive structures.

Quick answer

Using rescue with prepositions

Use rescue from to say what someone escapes from. Avoid rescue by in active sentences. Use be rescued by to name the rescuer in passive structures.

Firefighters rescued the family from the flood.
The hikers were rescued by a helicopter crew.
She was rescued from a dangerous situation.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
rescue from + danger

Say what someone escapes from

From introduces danger, trouble, or confinement.

Volunteers rescued animals from the fire.
2
be rescued by + rescuer

Name who performed the rescue

By introduces the rescuer in passive sentences.

The child was rescued by nearby swimmers.
3
rescue + person/thing

Use rescue with a direct object

Rescue commonly takes a direct object without a preposition.

Emergency teams rescued several passengers overnight.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
rescue from + danger
They rescued him from the river.
Shows the source of danger or difficulty.
be rescued by + rescuer
She was rescued by firefighters.
Names who carried out the rescue.
rescue by
They rescued by local volunteers.
Nonstandard in active voice.
rescue + object
The crew rescued two sailors.
Standard active structure.

Common mistakes

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

Using by after active rescue

Use a direct object after rescue in active sentences.

✕ They rescued by the coast guard the passengers. ✓ The coast guard rescued the passengers.

Omitting from when naming danger

From is needed to show the source of danger.

✕ She rescued the dog the icy lake. ✓ She rescued the dog from the icy lake.

Confusing active and passive forms

Use by in passive constructions only.

✕ The team rescued by volunteers. ✓ The team was rescued by volunteers.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The pilot rescued the hikers ___ the storm.
2. The passengers were ___ local fishermen.
3. Emergency workers ___ three climbers.

Check your sentence in context

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Frequently asked questions

Is rescue from the normal pattern?

Yes. It is the standard way to mention danger or difficulty.

Can I say rescue by?

Not in active voice. Use be rescued by in passive structures.

Does rescue need a preposition?

Not always. Rescue often takes a direct object alone.

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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