trample on + object
Stepping heavily on something
On is the most common preposition for physical or figurative pressure.
Children trampled on the wet grass
trample on vs. trample upon
Trample on and trample upon are standard. Trample by is not a normal verb-preposition combination.
Quick answer
Which form should you use?
Use trample on or the more formal trample upon when someone steps heavily on something or ignores rights and feelings. Trample by usually only means moving past something by walking.
The crowd trampled on the flowers
The regime trampled upon civil rights
Several hikers trampled on the path accidentally
He trampled by the gate without stopping
The regime trampled upon civil rights
Several hikers trampled on the path accidentally
He trampled by the gate without stopping
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
trample upon + rights or feelings
Formal figurative use
Upon is more formal and often appears in discussions of rights or principles.
The decision trampled upon workers' rights
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
trample on
The horses trampled on the crops.
Standard literal and figurative pattern.
trample by
Tourists trampled by the statue all afternoon.
By functions as a place adjunct meaning past or near, not as a fixed verb pattern.
trample upon
The law trampled upon free speech.
More formal version of trample on.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using by to mean damage through stepping
Use on or upon for the object affected.
✕ They trampled by the plants. ✓ They trampled on the plants.Using upon in very casual speech
Upon is grammatical but more formal.
✓ He trampled on my shoes.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The protesters said the policy trampled ___ their rights.
2. Please do not trample ___ the garden beds.
3. The tourists trampled ___ the fountain without noticing it.
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Frequently asked questions
Is trample upon old-fashioned?
It is still used, especially in formal writing and speeches.
Can trample be used figuratively?
Yes. It often describes violating rights, feelings, or traditions.
Is trample by incorrect?
Not always. By can describe movement past something, but it is not the usual object pattern of trample.
Related preposition guides
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