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Prepositions after verbs

Resist by, in, with, for or to?

Resist is most commonly followed by a direct object or by the preposition to before a noun or verb ending in -ing.

Quick answer

Main usage

Use resist directly before a noun, or use resist to in expressions such as resistant to change. After the verb resist itself, by, in, with, and for usually introduce separate details rather than fixed combinations.

They resisted the proposal.
The material is resistant to heat.
She resisted by remaining silent.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
resist + noun

Opposing something directly

Resist often takes a direct object without a preposition.

Citizens resisted the tax increase.
He resisted temptation.
2
resistant to + noun/-ing

Describing resistance

The adjective resistant is followed by to.

Children can be resistant to change.
3
resist by + -ing

Showing method of resistance

By introduces the method used to resist, not a fixed verb-preposition pair.

Workers resisted by organising protests.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
resist by
They resisted by refusing to cooperate.
by introduces the method of resistance
resist in
He resisted in silence.
in introduces manner or circumstance, not a fixed pattern
resist with
The army resisted with determination.
with introduces manner or instrument
resist for
They resisted for several hours.
for introduces duration
resist to
The verb resist is not normally followed by to.
use a direct object, or use resistant to as an adjective

Common mistakes

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

Adding to after the verb resist

Resist usually takes a direct object.

✕ She resisted to the idea. ✓ She resisted the idea.

Confusing resist with resistant to

The adjective pattern is different from the verb pattern.

✕ He is resist to pressure. ✓ He is resistant to pressure.

Using for as the object marker

For usually shows duration, not the thing resisted.

✕ They resisted for the plan. ✓ They resisted the plan.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The community resisted ___ new policy.
2. Some patients are resistant ___ treatment.
3. They resisted ___ staying off social media.

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Frequently asked questions

Does resist need a preposition?

Usually no. Resist commonly takes a direct object, such as resist pressure.

Is resist to correct?

Not usually with the verb resist. Use resist something or resistant to something.

Can resist be followed by by?

Yes, when by introduces the method of resistance, as in resisted by protesting.

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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