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Verb and preposition combinations

Seize by, on, upon, in or from?

Seize can mean take suddenly, capture, or use an opportunity quickly. Different prepositions create different meanings.

Quick answer

Common patterns with seize

Use seize by for holding a body part or object, seize on or seize upon for quickly using an idea or opportunity, and seize from for taking something away from someone. Seize in is uncommon as a fixed combination.

The guard seized him by the arm.
Reporters seized on the mistake immediately.
The police seized documents from the office.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
seize + object + by + body part

Grabbing someone or something

Use by to mention the part being held.

She seized him by the collar.
The child seized her mother by the hand.
2
seize on + idea/opportunity

Using something eagerly

Use seize on for quickly noticing or using an opportunity, point, or idea.

Critics seized on the inconsistency.
He seized on the chance to speak.
3
seize upon + idea/opportunity

Formal alternative to seize on

Seize upon has the same meaning as seize on but sounds slightly more formal.

The media seized upon the remark.
Investors seized upon the new proposal.
4
seize from + person/place

Taking something away

Use from to show who loses possession.

Officers seized evidence from the apartment.
Customs agents seized the goods from the shipment.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
seize by
He seized her by the wrist.
Describes physically grabbing a part of the body.
seize on
They seized on the error.
Means to use or focus on something quickly.
seize upon
She seized upon the opportunity.
A more formal version of seize on.
seize in
The army seized the city in 1944.
In here is a time adjunct, not a fixed combination with seize.
seize from
Police seized cash from the suspect.
Shows the source of what was taken.

Common mistakes

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

Using seize by without an object

By follows the object and introduces the body part.

✕ He seized by the arm. ✓ He seized her by the arm.

Confusing seize on with physical grabbing

Seize on is figurative, not physical.

✕ The guard seized on the thief. ✓ The guard seized the thief.

Adding in as if it were a fixed pattern

In usually introduces time or place information.

✕ They seized in the documents. ✓ They seized the documents.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The officer seized the suspect ___ the shoulder.
2. The press seized ___ the politician's mistake.
3. Police seized several laptops ___ the office.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between seize on and seize upon?

They have the same meaning, but seize upon is slightly more formal.

Can seize by be used with objects?

Yes. You can seize something by a handle, edge, or strap.

Is seize in correct?

Only when in introduces time or place information. It is not a standard fixed combination with seize.

sack, by, sack, for, sack, from "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?

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