Sign In Get Started
Prepositions after verbs

sanction by, for, in, with, or according

The verb 'sanction' commonly appears with 'for' and in passive forms with 'by'. Other prepositions usually belong to separate phrases.

Quick answer

How is 'sanction' used with prepositions?

Use 'sanction for' to state a reason or penalty. In passive sentences, 'sanctioned by' names the authority approving or punishing something. 'In', 'with', and 'according' are not standard fixed complements after the verb.

The company was sanctioned for violating trade rules.
The plan was sanctioned by the committee.
The country was sanctioned in response to the attack.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
sanction for + action

Giving the reason for a penalty

Use 'for' to explain why a person or organisation is punished.

The athlete was sanctioned for doping.
Several banks were sanctioned for fraud.
2
sanction by + authority

Naming the approving or punishing body

In passive structures, 'by' introduces the authority responsible for the sanction.

The agreement was sanctioned by parliament.
The officials were sanctioned by the regulator.
3
sanction with + penalty

Adding the type of punishment

'With' can introduce the punishment imposed.

The club was sanctioned with a heavy fine.
He was sanctioned with a suspension.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
sanction for
The firm was sanctioned for corruption.
gives the reason for punishment
sanction by
The project was sanctioned by the ministry.
names the authority involved
sanction with
The player was sanctioned with a ban.
states the penalty
sanction in
The country was sanctioned in response to the conflict.
'in' belongs to a larger phrase, not a fixed pattern
according
According to the report, new sanctions are possible.
not a normal complement after 'sanction'

Common mistakes

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

Using 'according' after 'sanction'

'According' does not combine directly with the verb.

✕ The company was sanctioned according the law. ✓ The company was sanctioned under the law.

Using 'in' as the main complement

'In' usually introduces a separate time or manner phrase.

✓ The state was sanctioned for illegal exports.

Confusing approval and punishment meanings

'Sanction' can mean officially approve or punish, depending on context.

✓ The board sanctioned the project.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The bank was sanctioned ___ breaking regulations.
2. The measure was sanctioned ___ the government.
3. The athlete was sanctioned ___ a two-year ban.

Check your sentence in context

Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

Free to try · No signup required

Frequently asked questions

Can 'sanction' mean approve?

Yes. In formal English, it can mean officially permit or approve something.

Is 'sanctioned by' always negative?

No. It may describe official approval or punishment depending on context.

What preposition usually follows 'sanction' for penalties?

'For' is common when giving the reason for a punishment.

sack, by, sack, for, sack, from "sacrifice for" or "sacrifice to"? sail from, in, for, to or through? "salvage from" or "salvage in"? 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?

Write with confidence in Linguix

Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.

Create a free account