Popular With: Standard Pattern
Popular With: Standard Pattern records a directly documented English construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced pattern rather than turning one attested complement into a universal prohibition.
Use “popular with” to identify the people or group who like, enjoy, or support someone or something.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| identify the people/group who like or support something | popular with + group | Use this documented construction. |
| same broad meaning expressed with “among” | popular among + group | Also documented; do not mark it wrong. |
| no group named | popular | A group complement is not required. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Are you naming the people or group with whom something is liked or supported?
If yes: “Popular with” is a standard choice.
If no: Use another fitting construction; “popular among” is also valid when a group is named.
Examples
The service is popular with students.
“With” introduces the group that likes or uses it.
The idea became popular with readers.
The group follows the documented “popular with” pattern.
The idea is popular among readers too.
“Popular among” is also valid; this page does not make “with” exclusive.
Further guidance
Construction
Use “popular with” to identify the people or group who like, enjoy, or support someone or something.
Style Boundary
“Popular among” is also documented. This guide records “popular with” without presenting it as the only acceptable way to identify the relevant group.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Popular (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Direct Cambridge dictionary evidence for “popular with” and the documented “popular among” alternative when identifying people who like or support something.