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Prepositions after verbs

Wreck by, wreck on, or wreck in?

The verb wreck is commonly used with on for collisions and in for situations or places. Wreck by is usually not a standard combination with this verb.

Quick answer

Which preposition goes with wreck?

Use wreck on for crashing into a surface or obstacle, and wreck in for describing the place or situation of a wreck. Wreck by is not a normal verb-preposition combination, though by can introduce the cause in a passive sentence.

The boat wrecked on the rocks.
Several cars were wrecked in the storm.
The ship was wrecked by strong winds.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
wreck on + surface or obstacle

Describing a collision

Use on when something crashes against a physical object or surface.

The yacht wrecked on a reef.
Their car wrecked on the icy barrier.
2
wreck in + place or event

Showing where the wreck happened

Use in to mention the place, event, or situation connected to the wreck.

Several trucks were wrecked in the flood.
The aircraft wrecked in dense forest.
3
wrecked by + cause

Naming the cause in passive sentences

By can introduce the thing that caused the damage, but it is not a fixed verb-preposition pattern after wreck.

The harbour was wrecked by the hurricane.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
wreck on
The ferry wrecked on the rocks.
crash against a surface or obstacle
wreck in
The bus was wrecked in the accident.
show the place or situation of the wreck
wreck by
The bridge was wrecked by the explosion.
by introduces the cause in a passive structure, not a standard collocation
wreck at
The ship wrecked at sea.
useful alternative for location

Common mistakes

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

Using wreck by as a regular collocation

By usually introduces the cause of damage, especially in passive sentences.

✕ The boat wrecked by the rocks. ✓ The boat wrecked on the rocks.

Confusing on and in

Use on for impact with a surface and in for the surrounding place or event.

✕ The ship wrecked in the reef. ✓ The ship wrecked on the reef.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The fishing boat wrecked ___ the rocks.
2. Several vehicles were wrecked ___ the storm.
3. The town was wrecked ___ the earthquake.

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Frequently asked questions

Is wreck by correct English?

Not usually as a direct verb-preposition pattern. By is mainly used to introduce the cause in passive structures such as wrecked by a storm.

When do we use wreck on?

Use wreck on when something crashes against rocks, reefs, walls, or other surfaces.

Can I use wreck in for places?

Yes. Wreck in is used for locations or situations, such as wrecked in a tunnel or in an accident.

wade, through, wade, into wait for, in, on, at or till? wake up, from, in, at or by? walk into, in, to, through or on? wander through, around, into, in or from? "want for", "want from" or "want in"? "warn of" or "warn against"? "wash with", "wash in" or "wash over"? "waste on" or "waste in"? watch for, in, on, from or with? "wave at" or "wave to"? "weaken by", "weaken to" or "weaken of"?

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