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Prepositions after verbs

Uncover by or uncover in?

Uncover usually takes a direct object without a preposition. Phrases with by or in normally add information about method or place, not a fixed verb pattern.

Quick answer

How to use uncover

Use uncover directly with an object: uncover the truth, uncover evidence. By can introduce the method, and in can introduce a place or context, but they are not fixed combinations selected by uncover.

uncover the cause
Researchers uncovered the error by reviewing old records
Police uncovered evidence in the warehouse

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
uncover + object

Revealing something hidden

The normal pattern is uncover followed directly by a noun phrase.

uncover corruption
uncover new facts
2
uncover + object + by + method

Showing how something was uncovered

By introduces the method or action used to uncover something.

They uncovered the mistake by checking the data twice
Scientists uncovered the pattern by analysing satellite images
3
uncover + object + in + place/context

Showing where something was uncovered

In introduces the location or context where the discovery happened.

Archaeologists uncovered coins in the field
The audit uncovered irregularities in the accounts

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
uncover + object
The report uncovered fraud.
Standard structure for revealing something hidden.
uncover by + method
They uncovered the leak by tracing the pipes.
By explains the method, not a fixed verb-preposition pair.
uncover in + place
Police uncovered evidence in the basement.
In shows location or context.

Common mistakes

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

Adding an unnecessary preposition

Uncover normally takes a direct object.

✕ They uncovered about the problem. ✓ They uncovered the problem.

Confusing method with object

By should introduce a method, not the thing discovered.

✕ They uncovered by the documents. ✓ They uncovered the documents.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Investigators uncovered the error ___ reviewing the original files.
2. The team uncovered valuable records ___ the archive.
3. Choose the correct sentence.

Check your sentence in context

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Frequently asked questions

Does uncover need a preposition?

Usually no. The verb normally takes a direct object, such as uncover evidence or uncover the truth.

Can I say uncover by?

Yes, when by introduces a method: uncover the mistake by checking the figures.

Can I say uncover in?

Yes, when in refers to a place or context: uncover documents in a storage room.

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