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Prepositions after verbs

Subsidize by, in, at, despite or during?

Subsidize is often used in passive structures with by. The other prepositions usually add time, place, or contrast information.

Quick answer

How is subsidize used with prepositions?

Subsidize is commonly seen with by in passive clauses to identify the funding source. In, at, despite, and during usually introduce separate location, condition, or time phrases rather than fixed complements.

The rail service is subsidized by the government
Several projects were subsidized during the recession
The programme operated in rural areas with public subsidies.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
subsidize by + source

Naming the funding source

By commonly introduces the organisation providing the subsidy.

The museum was subsidized by the city council
Fuel costs are subsidized by the state
2
subsidize during + period

Adding time information

During introduces the time when the subsidy existed.

Many industries were subsidized during the crisis
Transport was heavily subsidized during the 1990s
3
subsidize in + place

Adding location information

In usually introduces a place phrase rather than completing the verb.

Housing was subsidized in remote regions
The programme subsidized meals in public schools

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
subsidize by
Electricity prices are subsidized by the government.
standard passive pattern showing the funding source
subsidize in
Healthcare was subsidized in poorer districts.
in introduces location
subsidize at
Meals were subsidized at selected universities.
at introduces a specific place or institution
subsidize despite
The sector survived despite being poorly subsidized.
despite introduces contrast, not a verb complement
subsidize during
Public transport was subsidized during the emergency.
during introduces time

Common mistakes

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

Treating in as a fixed complement

In usually gives location information only.

✕ The state subsidized in farmers. ✓ The state subsidized farmers.

Using despite directly after subsidize

Despite introduces contrast and normally starts a separate phrase.

✕ The city subsidized despite losses the company. ✓ The city subsidized the company despite losses.

Using at for recipients

At usually refers to place, not the people receiving support.

✕ The programme subsidized at students. ✓ The programme subsidized students.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The airline is subsidized ___ public funds.
2. Several services were subsidized ___ the pandemic.
3. The meals were subsidized ___ rural schools.

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Frequently asked questions

Is subsidize by common?

Yes. It is especially common in passive sentences describing who provides the subsidy.

Can I use subsidize in?

Yes, but in usually introduces a place phrase rather than a fixed pattern after the verb.

Does subsidize take a direct object?

Yes. English often uses a direct object, such as subsidize housing or subsidize farmers.

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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