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Prepositions after verbs

Slap on, slap in or slap with?

Slap on and slap with are common but have different meanings. Slap in is not usually a fixed verb-preposition pattern.

Quick answer

Which prepositions are natural after slap?

Use slap on for applying something quickly or forcefully to a surface. Use slap with for hitting using a body part or object, or for burdening someone with something. Slap in is uncommon as a fixed combination and usually belongs to a separate phrase of place.

She slapped on some sunscreen.
The coach slapped him with a fine.
He slapped on a fresh coat of paint.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
slap on + substance or item

Applying something quickly

Use on when adding or spreading something onto a surface.

They slapped on bright paint.
I slapped on a bandage.
2
slap someone with + penalty

Giving a punishment or burden

This figurative use is common in news and formal writing.

The company was slapped with a heavy tax bill.
3
slap someone with + object

Hitting using something

With can introduce the object used to hit someone.

He slapped the table with a newspaper.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
slap on
She slapped on some makeup.
apply something quickly or carelessly
slap with
The judge slapped him with a fine.
impose a punishment or burden
slap with
He slapped the wall with his hand.
hit using a body part or object
slap in
They slapped the papers in a drawer.
Here in introduces place, not a fixed verb-preposition combination

Common mistakes

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

Using slap in as a standard fixed phrase

Slap in is usually not an idiomatic verb-preposition combination.

✕ She slapped in some lotion. ✓ She slapped on some lotion.

Confusing on and with

On introduces the surface or target of application, while with introduces the instrument or penalty.

✕ The court slapped on him a fine. ✓ The court slapped him with a fine.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. He slapped ___ some aftershave before leaving.
2. The airline was slapped ___ a large penalty.
3. She slapped paint ___ the fence.

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Frequently asked questions

Is slap on informal?

Yes. It often suggests quick, careless, or heavy application.

Can slap with be figurative?

Yes. It is common for fines, restrictions, or criticism.

Can slap be used without a preposition?

Yes. For example: He slapped the table angrily.

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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