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Verb + preposition

How to use “supply”

Supply usually means “provide.” “Supply to” identifies the receiver, while “supplied by” is common in passive voice.

Quick answer

Use “supply to” for receivers

Use “supply to” when something is provided to a person or organisation: “The company supplies equipment to hospitals.” In passive voice, use “supplied by” to identify the provider.

They supply water to nearby villages.
The products are supplied by a local manufacturer.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
supply + object + to + receiver

Providing something to someone

Use “to” to identify who receives the item.

The firm supplies software to schools.
2
supplied by + provider

Passive form showing the source

Use “by” in passive voice to name the supplier.

The electricity is supplied by a regional company.
3
supply + object

Using a direct object

The thing provided comes directly after the verb.

They supply medical equipment worldwide.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
supply to
The company supplies parts to airlines.
Standard pattern showing the receiver.
supplied by
The store is supplied by local farms.
Standard passive structure showing the provider.
supply by
“Supply by” is not common in active voice.
Use “supplied by” in passive sentences instead.

Common mistakes

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

Using “supply by” actively

English usually uses “supply to” or passive “supplied by.”

✕ They supply by retailers. ✓ They supply products to retailers.

Missing the receiver after “to”

“To” should introduce a receiver.

✕ The company supplies to. ✓ The company supplies fuel to airports.

Incorrect passive form

Passive sentences need a form of “be.”

✕ The goods supplied by a local firm. ✓ The goods are supplied by a local firm.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The company supplies computers ___ schools.
2. The restaurant is supplied ___ local farms.
3. They supply fresh produce ___ the region.

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Frequently asked questions

Is “supply to” correct?

Yes. It is the standard way to show the receiver of something.

When do we use “supplied by”?

Use it in passive voice to identify the provider or source.

Can I say “supply by”?

Not usually in active voice. Prefer “supply to” or passive “supplied by.”

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