Sign In Get Started
Prepositions with weight

Using prepositions with weight

Different prepositions with weight express measurement, change, cause, or method.

Quick answer

Common expressions with weight

Use weight of for measurement, gain or lose weight without a preposition after the verb, and by weight for selling or measuring.

The weight of the package is 5 kilos.
She gained weight during the winter.
The fruit is sold by weight.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
weight of + noun

Giving a measurement

Use weight of to state how heavy something is.

The weight of the machine surprised us.
Doctors checked the weight of the baby regularly.
2
gain weight / lose weight

Talking about body weight changes

These verbs are usually used without another preposition before weight.

He started to lose weight after changing his diet.
Some people gain weight under stress.
3
by weight

Selling or measuring

Use by weight for pricing or sorting according to heaviness.

Nuts are sold by weight at the market.
The parcels are grouped by weight.
4
with weight

Describing added heaviness

With weight can describe carrying or adding heaviness.

The shelves bent with weight.
His backpack was heavy with weight from the books.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
weight of
The weight of the box is listed here.
Standard form for measurement.
in weight
The twins are equal in weight.
Used for comparison or category.
to weight
The trainer added plates to weight the machine properly.
To weight is a verb meaning to load or balance, not a noun phrase.
for weight
This exercise is useful for weight control.
Shows purpose or topic.
with weight
The bridge collapsed with the weight of the truck.
Shows accompanying heaviness or pressure.

Common mistakes

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

Using of after gain

Gain weight does not take of.

✕ She gained of weight quickly. ✓ She gained weight quickly.

Using to weight as a noun phrase

To weight is usually part of a verb structure, not a noun combination.

✕ The doctor checked to weight of the child. ✓ The doctor checked the weight of the child.

Confusing by weight and with weight

By weight means according to heaviness; with weight describes pressure or heaviness.

✕ The apples are sold with weight. ✓ The apples are sold by weight.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The ___ the suitcase exceeded the limit.
2. Many athletes try to ___ before competitions.
3. The cheese is priced ___ weight.

Check your sentence in context

Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

Free to try · No signup required

Frequently asked questions

Do we say gain weight or gain in weight?

Both exist, but gain weight is much more common in everyday English.

What does by weight mean?

It means according to heaviness, often for pricing or sorting.

Can with weight be correct?

Yes. It describes heaviness or pressure, such as bending with weight.

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"?

Write with confidence in Linguix

Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.

Create a free account