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Prepositions after verbs

How to use thwart with prepositions

Thwart usually takes a direct object without a preposition. Some prepositions may appear in separate phrases, but they are not fixed patterns with thwart.

Quick answer

Does thwart need a preposition?

Usually no. Thwart is normally transitive: thwart a plan, thwart an attack. Phrases like thwarted by delays use by after a past participle, not as a fixed verb pattern.

thwart the attempt
The rescue was thwarted by heavy rain.
thwart their plans

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
thwart + object

Blocking an action or plan

Use thwart directly with the thing being stopped or prevented.

thwart the attack
thwart his ambitions
2
thwarted by + cause

Showing what caused failure

In passive structures, by introduces the cause or agent.

The mission was thwarted by technical problems.
3
thwart in + place/time

Using in as a separate adjunct

In can describe where or when the thwarting happened, not a fixed combination.

They were thwarted in the final stage of negotiations.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
thwart by
The scheme was thwarted by security guards.
correct in passive voice to show the cause
thwart in
They were thwarted in their efforts.
correct when in introduces the area of effort
thwart at
They thwarted the attack at the border.
at shows location, not a fixed pattern
thwart due
The launch was delayed due to weather, not 'thwart due weather'.
due is not a standard preposition after thwart
thwart with
They thwarted the hackers with new software.
with introduces the method, not a fixed pattern

Common mistakes

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

Adding an unnecessary preposition

Thwart normally takes a direct object.

✕ They thwarted against the proposal. ✓ They thwarted the proposal.

Using due after thwart

Due is not used directly after thwart.

✕ The plan was thwart due rain. ✓ The plan was thwarted by rain.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The police managed to ___ the robbery.
2. The operation was thwarted ___ bad weather.
3. They were thwarted ___ their efforts to expand.

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Frequently asked questions

Is thwart a transitive verb?

Yes. It normally needs a direct object, such as thwart a plan or thwart an attempt.

Can I use thwart with by?

Yes, mainly in passive sentences such as was thwarted by delays.

Is thwart due correct?

No. Use thwarted by or delayed due to instead.

tackle by, in, for, with or on? tack-on-onto-to-across, as "tag with" or "tag in"? tailor to, for, from, toward or towards? "taint by" or "taint with"? "take into", "take in" or "take to"? "talk about" or "talk to"? tally with, in, for, up or at? "tap into" or "tap on"? target at, by, for, to or in? tarnish by, in, with, after or as? "taste like", "taste of" or "taste in"?

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