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Prepositions after verbs

sack by, for, or from

The verb 'sack' usually means dismiss from a job. 'Sack for' gives the reason, while 'sack from' names the job or organisation. 'By' is usually not selected by the verb itself.

Quick answer

Which preposition goes with 'sack'?

Use 'sack for' to give a reason and 'sack from' to name the workplace or position. 'By' usually introduces the person or group doing the action, not a fixed verb pattern.

He was sacked for stealing company data.
Two managers were sacked from the bank.
The coach was sacked by the club owner.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
sack for + reason

Giving the reason for dismissal

Use 'for' to explain why someone lost a job.

She was sacked for repeated lateness.
He got sacked for breaking safety rules.
2
sack from + job or organisation

Naming the place or role

Use 'from' to show the company, team, or position someone lost.

Three workers were sacked from the factory.
He was sacked from his teaching post.
3
sack by + employer

Naming who dismissed someone

'By' can introduce the agent in a passive sentence. It is not a special verb-preposition combination.

She was sacked by senior management.
The player was sacked by the club.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
sack for
They sacked him for misconduct.
states the reason for dismissal
sack from
She was sacked from the company.
states the place or role lost
sack by
He was sacked by the board.
names the person or group taking the action
dismiss from
The officer was dismissed from service.
more formal alternative to 'sack'

Common mistakes

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

Using 'by' as the main complement

'By' usually introduces the agent, not the reason or workplace.

✕ He was sacked by lateness. ✓ He was sacked for lateness.

Using 'for' for the workplace

Use 'from' for the organisation or role.

✕ She was sacked for the hospital. ✓ She was sacked from the hospital.

Forgetting the object after 'from'

'From' should be followed by a place, company, or position.

✓ He was sacked from his job.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She was sacked ___ missing too many deadlines.
2. The manager was sacked ___ the club last week.
3. He was sacked ___ the new director.

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Frequently asked questions

Is 'sack' informal?

Yes. 'Sack' is more informal than 'dismiss' or 'terminate'.

Can I say 'sacked over'?

Yes. 'Over' is sometimes used before a problem or dispute, especially in news style.

What is the difference between 'sack for' and 'sack from'?

'Sack for' gives the reason, while 'sack from' names the job or organisation.

"sacrifice for" or "sacrifice to"? sail from, in, for, to or through? "salvage from" or "salvage in"? sanction by, for, in, with or according? satisfy with, by, in, about or after? "saturate with" or "saturate in"? save by, for, from, on or in? "say in", "say about" or "say to"? "scan for", "scan in" or "scan through"? "scar by" or "scar on"? scatter in, across, around, throughout or on? score in, on, for, at or with?

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