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Prepositions after verbs

Rhyme with, in, like, for or to?

Rhyme with is the standard pattern when comparing sounds between words. Other prepositions can appear in different sentence structures, but they are less common or have different meanings.

Quick answer

Which preposition is most common after rhyme?

Use rhyme with to say that two words have similar ending sounds. In, like, for, and to may appear in specific contexts, but they are not the main pattern for comparing rhyming words.

Blue rhymes with true.
The poem rhymes in pairs.
That word sounds like it rhymes with mine.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
rhyme with + word

Comparing similar sounds

Rhyme with is the standard pattern for matching sounds.

Moon rhymes with June.
Their names rhyme with each other.
2
rhyme in + pattern/style

Describing rhyme structure

In can describe the form or arrangement of rhymes.

The song rhymes in couplets.
The verses rhyme in an ABAB pattern.
3
rhyme to + rhythm/music

Matching words to music or rhythm

To is occasionally used when fitting words to a tune or beat.

She tried to rhyme the lyrics to the melody.
The children rhymed their chant to the drumbeat.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
rhyme with
Light rhymes with night.
standard pattern for similar sounds
rhyme in
The poem rhymes in pairs.
describes rhyme arrangement
rhyme like
These two words rhyme like the previous pair.
like compares similarity but is less direct than rhyme with
rhyme for
He searched for a word to rhyme for orange.
for is not normally used directly after rhyme to compare sounds
rhyme to
They rhymed the chorus to the beat.
to links words with rhythm or music

Common mistakes

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

Using rhyme for instead of rhyme with

Use rhyme with to compare sounds.

✕ Cat rhymes for hat. ✓ Cat rhymes with hat.

Using like after rhyme unnecessarily

Rhyme with is clearer and more standard.

✕ Blue rhymes like true. ✓ Blue rhymes with true.

Confusing rhyme in with rhyme with

In describes rhyme patterns, not matching words.

✕ Day rhymes in play. ✓ Day rhymes with play.

Omitting the preposition with

With is usually needed when naming the matching word.

✕ Tree rhymes bee. ✓ Tree rhymes with bee.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Stone rhymes ___ phone.
2. The poem rhymes ___ couplets.
3. She matched the lyrics ___ the melody.

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Frequently asked questions

Is rhyme with correct?

Yes. Rhyme with is the standard way to compare words with similar sounds.

Can rhyme in be used?

Yes. It usually describes a rhyme pattern or poetic structure.

Do native speakers say rhyme for?

Not usually as a direct verb-preposition combination. Speakers normally say rhyme with.

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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