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Prepositions with nouns

Of, for, by, in or with experiment?

Experiment is most often used with with and in. Other prepositions appear in specific grammatical patterns.

Quick answer

How to use prepositions with experiment

Use experiment with something when testing ideas or materials. Use experiment in a field of study. Use results of an experiment or a tool for an experiment in larger noun phrases. By experiment is rare outside formal scientific style.

The team began to experiment with new materials.
She conducted research in experimental psychology.
The results of the experiment were surprising.
They bought equipment for the experiment.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
experiment with + thing

Testing or trying something

Use with after the verb experiment to describe what is being tested.

Scientists experiment with renewable fuels every year.
The chef likes to experiment with spices.
2
experiment in + field

Research within an area

Use in to show the scientific or academic field where an experiment takes place.

It was an important experiment in chemistry.
The paper described an experiment in language learning.
3
results of the experiment

Referring to outcomes

Use of to connect experiment with its results, purpose, or stages.

The results of the experiment confirmed the theory.
The aim of the experiment was clear.
4
equipment for the experiment

Showing purpose

Use for when something is intended to be used in an experiment.

We ordered chemicals for the experiment.
The lab prepared samples for the experiment.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
of experiment
The results of the experiment were published.
Of links experiment to another noun such as results or purpose.
for experiment
They collected data for the experiment.
For shows purpose or intended use.
by experiment
The theory was tested by experiment.
Formal phrase meaning through experimental methods.
in experiment
The phrase is uncommon alone; English usually says experiment in physics.
In is mainly used before a field or area.
with experiment
With experiment alone is not idiomatic; use experiment with something.
With usually follows the verb experiment, not the noun by itself.

Common mistakes

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

Using with after the noun experiment alone

English usually uses experiment with as a verb phrase.

✕ They discussed an experiment with. ✓ They discussed an experiment with mice.

Using in experiment without a field

In normally introduces an area of study.

✕ She took part in experiment. ✓ She took part in an experiment.

Confusing by experiment and experiment with

These structures have different grammar and meaning.

✕ Scientists by experiment new methods. ✓ Scientists experiment with new methods.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Researchers continue to experiment ___ new medicines.
2. The results ___ the experiment were unexpected.
3. They prepared the room ___ the experiment.

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Frequently asked questions

Is experiment with correct?

Yes. It is the standard pattern for testing or trying something.

When do we use experiment in?

Use it with fields or subjects, such as experiment in biology.

Is by experiment common?

It appears mainly in formal scientific writing meaning through experimental methods.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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