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Prepositions after utter

Utter by or utter in?

Utter usually takes a direct object without a fixed preposition. By and in can appear in separate grammatical roles.

Quick answer

Using utter with by and in

Utter is normally followed directly by the words or sounds produced. Uttered by commonly appears in passive sentences to name the speaker. Utter in can introduce a language, tone, or manner.

She uttered a warning.
The phrase was uttered by the witness.
He uttered in a calm voice.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
utter + words

Saying words or sounds directly

Utter usually takes a direct object without a preposition.

She uttered his name quietly.
He uttered a short reply.
2
uttered by + speaker

Naming the person who spoke

By commonly appears in passive structures with uttered.

The remark was uttered by a senior official.
Those words were uttered by the actor.
3
utter in + language or tone

Describing the manner of speech

In can introduce a language, voice, tone, or style.

She uttered in a low voice.
The prayer was uttered in Latin.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
utter by
The sentence utter by the speaker is nonstandard.
Use uttered by in a passive structure instead.
uttered by
The warning was uttered by the captain.
Names the speaker in a passive sentence.
utter in
He uttered the words in anger.
In introduces manner or emotional state, not a fixed complement.
utter + object
She uttered a cry.
The most common structure with utter.

Common mistakes

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

Using utter by without a passive form

By normally follows uttered in passive constructions.

✕ He utter by mistake a rude comment. ✓ A rude comment was uttered by him.

Adding an unnecessary preposition

Utter usually takes a direct object.

✕ She uttered about her opinion. ✓ She uttered her opinion.

Confusing utter in with a fixed phrase

In usually introduces manner, language, or tone.

✕ He uttered in the message. ✓ He uttered the message.

Using utter for long conversations

Utter often refers to short expressions, sounds, or remarks.

✕ She uttered with him for an hour. ✓ She spoke with him for an hour.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The warning was uttered ___ the manager.
2. She uttered the sentence ___ a soft voice.
3. He uttered ___ loud cry.

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Frequently asked questions

Do we usually use a preposition after utter?

No. Utter normally takes a direct object, such as utter a word or utter a cry.

Is utter by correct?

Not as a basic active pattern. In passive structures, use uttered by.

Can utter in be correct?

Yes. In can introduce a language, tone, or manner, as in uttered in a whisper.

uncover, by, uncover, in "underline by" or "underline in"? undermine by, in, at, from or due? underpin by, for, with, of or other? underscore by, in, with, between or during? understand by, in, about, as or from? "undertake by" or "undertake in"? undo by, in, against, during or From? "unearth from" or "unearth by"? unfold in, before, on, at or for? "unite in" or "unite with"? "unleash on" or "unleash by"?

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