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Prepositions after verbs

How to use prepositions with sue

Sue is most commonly followed by for when stating the reason or compensation involved in a legal case.

Quick answer

Correct use of sue with prepositions

Use sue for to state what someone wants or the reason for legal action. In and by usually introduce separate details such as location or agent, not complements selected by sue.

She decided to sue for damages.
The company was sued in federal court.
He was sued by a former client.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
sue for + compensation

Requesting money or damages

For introduces the thing being claimed in court.

They plan to sue for compensation.
She sued for medical expenses after the accident.
2
sue for + reason

Stating the legal issue

For can also introduce the alleged wrongdoing.

The actor was sued for defamation.
The company was sued for negligence.
3
sue in + court or place

Giving legal location

In here is an adjunct showing where the legal action happens, not a fixed complement of sue.

They were sued in California.
The case was filed after she was sued in civil court.
4
sue by + agent

Naming the person bringing the case

By appears in passive constructions to identify the claimant.

The firm was sued by investors.
He was sued by his neighbour last year.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
sue for
She sued for unfair dismissal.
Standard pattern for legal claims or reasons.
sue in
The company was sued in New York.
In gives the place or court where the case happens.
sue by
The landlord was sued by several tenants.
By identifies who brought the lawsuit in a passive sentence.

Common mistakes

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

Using sue in as the main legal pattern

In usually gives location, not the legal claim itself.

✕ She sued in compensation. ✓ She sued for compensation.

Using sue by in active sentences

By is used mainly in passive constructions.

✕ They sued by the customer. ✓ They were sued by the customer.

Omitting for when stating the claim

For is needed before the reason or compensation.

✕ He sued damages. ✓ He sued for damages.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The worker sued ___ unfair dismissal.
2. The company was sued ___ federal court.
3. He was sued ___ a former employee.

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Frequently asked questions

Is sue for the main pattern?

Yes. It is the standard way to introduce a legal claim or compensation.

Can sue be followed by in?

Yes, when in introduces the court, state, or location of the case.

Why is sue by used in passive sentences?

By identifies the person or group bringing the lawsuit.

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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