There are a few prepositional choices that you need to understand when it comes to using “graduate.” This article will explain how “graduate of,” “graduate from,” and “graduate at” work (as well as a few others to help you figure it out.
Is It “Graduate Of,” “Graduate From,” or “Graduate At”?
“Graduate of” refers to a specific university or college. It is used as a noun, where you become the “graduate.” “Graduate from” refers to a specific place as well, but it is used as the verb form. “Graduate at” only works to refer to specific times or locations.
You cannot use any of these forms interchangeably because of how they fit into sentences. “Graduate” is both a noun and a verb, depending on how you use it.
“Of” and “from” both relate to naming a specific college. However, “of” only works as a noun, while “from” changes “graduate” into a verb (often written in the past tense as “graduated).
Graduate Of
“Graduate of” is a great way to show where you have graduated from. However, it uses “of” to demonstrate that you have become a “graduate” of a certain college. You cannot change the form of “graduate” because it is a noun.
You can only call yourself a “graduate of” a place when you have completed everything you needed to and gone through the graduation ceremony. It is correct to use this term as a noun to describe yourself once you have graduated, though.
- I’m a graduate of King’s College. I think I did a great job achieving the results that I did from there.
- You will be a graduate of that college in a few years. You need to make sure you’re setting a good example right away.
- I want to be a graduate of Oxford, but I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to get my degree from there.
- You are a graduate of Harvard, and I have to say I’m quite impressed with your accolades. It takes a lot to achieve those.
- I am a graduate of this university. Is there anything specific you want to know? I will definitely be able to help.
Graduate From
“Graduate from” works very similarly to “graduate of.” It works best when referring to a specific college, but it is a verb form that can change forms based on tense. You’ll mainly hear it used as “graduated from” when you have graduated from a place in the past.
“Graduate from” is best used in the past because we don’t often talk about graduating in the future (unless we’re convinced that we’re going to pass all of our college courses).
- I graduated from Oxford, but I’ve come all this way because I trust that you have the best program for me to put my degree to good use.
- I graduated from Harvard with the highest honors. I’m very proud of the person I’ve become today.
- Of course, I graduated from Cornell. That was never supposed to be in doubt. I know my worth.
- I graduated from that college a long time ago. You won’t find me going back to one anytime soon!
- I tried graduating from this college once before, but I know that the second time around is going to be successful for me!
Graduate At
“Graduate at” is a very specific case that doesn’t see a lot of common use. You will only use “at” to refer to a specific time or event. This time will always be placed directly after “at.” “Graduate” is a verb form again here, allowing you to change the tense accordingly.
“Graduate at” might not be common, but it is still correct. You just have to make sure you know when the situations occur that apply to “at.”
- I will graduate at nine this morning. I can’t wait for the ceremony to be finalized! It feels like it’s taken forever.
- I will graduate at the event hall later this morning. I think I have everyone here that needs to be.
- I want to graduate at a time that suits me, but I obviously don’t get that luxury. Oh, well! I guess I can’t be choosey.
- Are you going to graduate at three like the rest of us? Or are you planning on graduating at a different time?
- I will graduate at six, but I won’t be able to stick around for very long. I’m busy enough as it is.
Graduate In
“Graduate in” is another verb form that can be used. This time, the preposition “in” refers to a specific field or subject that you would have studied at college.
The subject is usually named, and we can use it to refer to what our qualifications are. It is correct to use this in all verb tenses, depending on whether we have previously graduated in a subject or we are planning on graduating in it later down the line.
- I will graduate in economics by the end of the year. I’m very certain that I’ll get all the relevant grades.
- You will be graduating in this field, correct? I hope you enjoy yourself when you finally get there.
- I have graduated in history, and I’m so pleased with my performance. I always knew I was going to perform well here.
Graduate With
“Graduate with” is a great way to show someone what you have achieved at college. “With” always refers to your degree, and you can use it to show what you have managed to achieve from all your years of study.
“Graduate with” is another verb form and preposition combination. It can be used in any tense, though it’s best in the past tense because you will know what degree you have achieved once you’ve already achieved it.
- I have graduated with the highest honors possible. I didn’t even know it was going to be probable for me.
- I want you to graduate with a Master’s by the end of this. Do you think you’re going to be able to do that?
- Can I graduate with a Bachelor’s degree only? I feel like that’s as far as I want to take this, if that’s okay with you?
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