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Preposition after verb

tolerate: correct prepositions

Tolerate is usually used without a following preposition before the object. Phrases like tolerate by or tolerate in are generally not standard verb patterns.

Quick answer

Which form is correct?

Use tolerate directly with an object: tolerate noise, tolerate delays, tolerate behaviour. Tolerate by and tolerate in are not normal fixed patterns after this verb, although by or in can appear later in the sentence as separate adjuncts.

She cannot tolerate loud music.
We tolerate small mistakes during training.
The team will not tolerate harassment at work.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
tolerate + object

Accepting something unpleasant

Tolerate is normally followed directly by a noun or noun phrase.

I cannot tolerate dishonesty.
2
tolerate + someone/something + in + place

Showing where tolerance happens

In can introduce a place or situation, not a fixed verb-preposition combination.

The school will not tolerate bullying in classrooms.
3
tolerate + someone/something + by + method

Adding information about means or method

By can describe a method connected to the sentence, but it is not selected by tolerate.

They tried to tolerate the noise by wearing headphones.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
tolerate + object
She tolerated the delays.
Standard pattern meaning to endure something.
tolerate by
They tolerated the situation by avoiding arguments.
By introduces a method; it is not a fixed combination with tolerate.
tolerate in
We do not tolerate smoking in the office.
In introduces place; tolerate still takes a direct object.

Common mistakes

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

Adding an unnecessary preposition

Tolerate usually takes a direct object without a preposition.

✕ I cannot tolerate to the noise. ✓ I cannot tolerate the noise.

Treating by as a fixed partner

Use by only for method or means in the wider sentence.

✕ We tolerate by delays. ✓ We tolerate delays.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She cannot ___ rude behaviour.
2. We do not tolerate smoking ___ the building.
3. They tolerated the long meetings ___ taking breaks.

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Frequently asked questions

Does tolerate need a preposition?

Usually no. Tolerate is normally followed directly by an object.

Is tolerate by correct?

Not as a fixed verb pattern. By may introduce a method in the sentence.

Can I use tolerate in?

Only when in introduces place or context, such as tolerate noise in public spaces.

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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