restore + object + to + state/place
Returning something to an earlier condition
Use to after restore when something goes back to a previous state or position.
The repairs restored the bridge to safe condition.
How to use prepositions with restore
Restore most often combines with to when something returns to an earlier state. Other prepositions can appear in different grammatical roles.
Quick answer
Restore to is the main pattern
Use restore to for returning something or someone to a condition, place, or status. Restore from appears in contexts such as recovering data or repairing damage. In, by, and for usually introduce separate details rather than standard verb-preposition patterns.
The treatment restored him to full health.
The backup restored the files from the server.
The building was restored by local craftsmen.
The backup restored the files from the server.
The building was restored by local craftsmen.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
restore from + source/damage
Recovering or rebuilding
From can identify the source of recovery or the condition recovered from.
The system was restored from a backup copy.
restore by + agent/method
Naming who or what performs the restoration
By usually introduces the agent or method in passive structures.
The mural was restored by experts.
restore in + time/place
Adding contextual information
In is normally an adjunct showing where or when restoration happens, not a fixed pattern after restore.
The chapel was restored in 2018.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
restore to
The medicine restored her to good health.
return someone or something to a previous condition
restore from
We restored the database from a backup.
recover something using a source copy
restore by
The statue was restored by a specialist team.
identify the agent or method of restoration
restore in
The theatre was restored in the 1990s.
in introduces time or place information, not a core verb pattern
restore for
They restored the house for future generations.
for expresses purpose or benefit, not the usual selected preposition after restore
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Omitting to after restore
Use to before the resulting condition or status.
✕ The therapy restored her full strength. ✓ The therapy restored her to full strength.Treating in as the main preposition after restore
In usually adds time or place information.
✓ The palace was restored in 2005.Using for instead of to for resulting states
Use to for the condition reached after restoration.
✕ The treatment restored him for normal health. ✓ The treatment restored him to normal health.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The operation restored him ___ full mobility.
2. The files were restored ___ an external drive.
3. The church was restored ___ local volunteers.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the most common preposition after restore?
To is the main preposition used with restore when describing a return to a previous state.
Can restore be used with from?
Yes. Restore from is common in technology and recovery contexts, such as restoring files from a backup.
Is restore for correct?
For may express purpose or benefit, but it is not usually the core preposition selected by restore.
Related preposition guides
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