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Prepositions after verbs

Simmer for or simmer in?

Simmer is commonly used with for for duration and in for the liquid or emotional situation involved.

Quick answer

Which preposition goes with simmer?

Use simmer for to show duration and simmer in to show the liquid, sauce, or emotional atmosphere. The two constructions have different meanings.

Let the soup simmer for twenty minutes.
The beans were simmering in tomato sauce.
Anger simmered in the crowd all day.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
simmer for + time

Showing cooking duration

Use simmer for with a period of time.

The curry should simmer for an hour.
Leave the sauce to simmer for ten minutes.
2
simmer in + liquid

Showing the cooking liquid

Use simmer in to name the liquid or sauce.

The fish simmered in coconut milk.
The vegetables are simmering in broth.
3
simmer in + situation

Describing hidden emotions

In figurative use, simmer in can describe emotions existing within a group or atmosphere.

Frustration simmered in the office.
Tension was simmering in the room.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
simmer for
The stew simmered for two hours.
shows how long something cooks
simmer in
The pears simmered in red wine.
shows the liquid or setting
simmer
Leave the soup to simmer.
no preposition is needed when the context is clear

Common mistakes

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

Using in for time

Use for, not in, with a duration.

✕ The sauce simmered in thirty minutes. ✓ The sauce simmered for thirty minutes.

Confusing liquid and duration

In introduces the liquid, not the cooking time.

✕ The chicken simmered for broth. ✓ The chicken simmered in broth.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The beans should simmer ___ forty minutes.
2. The meat simmered ___ a spicy sauce.
3. Tension simmered ___ the committee.

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Frequently asked questions

Can simmer be used without a preposition?

Yes. You can simply say The soup is simmering when the context is clear.

Is simmer for only used in cooking?

Mostly yes. It usually refers to the length of cooking time.

Can simmer in be figurative?

Yes. It can describe emotions or conflict developing quietly in a place or group.

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