withdraw from + activity/place
Leaving or removing participation
Use 'from' for organisations, agreements, contests, or situations.
They withdrew from the negotiations.
Withdraw from, in, to, after or by?
'Withdraw from' is the most common pattern. Other prepositions usually express direction, timing, or method rather than fixed verb combinations.
Quick answer
How to use 'withdraw'
Use 'withdraw from' for leaving an activity, agreement, or place. 'Withdraw to' expresses movement toward a quieter place. 'In', 'after', and 'by' usually add extra information rather than forming standard combinations with the verb.
The country decided to withdraw from the agreement.
She withdrew to her office.
He withdrew from the competition.
She withdrew to her office.
He withdrew from the competition.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
withdraw to + place
Moving to a quieter or safer place
Use 'to' for physical or emotional retreat.
She withdrew to a private room.
withdraw + money from + account
Removing money
In banking contexts, use 'from' for the source account.
He withdrew money from his savings account.
withdraw in + time/place
Adding contextual information
'In' usually introduces a time or situation, not a fixed pattern with the verb.
The troops withdrew in the early hours of the morning.
withdraw after/by + event or method
Adding timing or means
'After' and 'by' usually function as ordinary adjuncts.
She withdrew after the announcement.
The application was withdrawn by the applicant.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
withdraw from
He withdrew from the race.
Standard expression for leaving or ending participation.
withdraw in
The army withdrew in silence.
'In' usually introduces manner or time, not a fixed combination.
withdraw to
She withdrew to her study.
Shows movement toward another place.
withdraw after
They withdrew after the meeting.
Shows timing following an event.
withdraw by
The complaint was withdrawn by the customer.
'By' often introduces the agent in passive clauses.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using the wrong preposition for leaving
Use 'from' for quitting or leaving activities.
✕ He withdrew to the tournament. ✓ He withdrew from the tournament.Treating 'in' as a fixed pattern
'In' usually adds context such as time or manner.
✕ She withdrew in the contract. ✓ She withdrew from the contract.Confusing movement and participation
'To' expresses movement toward a place.
✕ They withdrew to the negotiations. ✓ They withdrew from the negotiations.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. She withdrew ___ the competition due to injury.
2. After dinner, he withdrew ___ his room.
3. The request was withdrawn ___ the client.
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Frequently asked questions
Is 'withdraw from' the standard form?
Yes. It is the usual expression for leaving or ending participation.
Can I use 'withdraw to'?
Yes. It means move away to another place, often for privacy or safety.
Is 'withdraw in' a fixed expression?
Usually no. 'In' normally adds information about time, place, or manner.
Related preposition guides
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