How to use "be popular with"

What Does "be popular with" Mean?

The expression be popular with is a common English collocation used to indicate that a person, idea, product, or action is liked, admired, or supported by a specific group of people.

This collocation is compositional, meaning the meaning is derived directly from the adjective "popular" and the prepositional link "with." However, it functions as a fixed unit in English discourse. The register is neutral to formal, making it equally appropriate for casual conversation, journalism, and academic writing.

How to Use It

Grammatical pattern: [Subject] + [be-verb] + popular + with + [Noun Phrase/Target Group].
Typical objects: The object following "with" is almost always a collective noun or a plural noun representing a demographic (e.g., voters, staff, students, the public).
Separability: Because "popular" is an adjective and "with" starts a prepositional phrase, they cannot be "separated" in the way phrasal verbs are, though adverbs of degree often sit before the adjective (e.g., "be very popular with").
What sounds unnatural: Using the wrong preposition is the most common error. Phrases like "popular by" or "popular to" (in this context) sound non-native. Additionally, using a singular individual as the object (e.g., "I am popular with John") is rare; it is typically used for groups.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from be popular with on Ludwig.guru.

"He will be popular with the staff." — theguardian.com

"The courses seem to be popular with entrepreneurs." — economist.com

"A clean-up would be popular with middle-class voters." — economist.com

"That might not be popular with ambitious chief executives." — nytimes.com

"These lists seem to be popular with readers, and they stir up lively reactions." — nytimes.com

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
be well-received by	More formal; often used for performances, speeches, or corporate proposals.
be in favor with	Suggests having the approval or support of a specific authority or group.
appeal to	Focuses on the quality of being attractive or interesting to a group.
find favor among	A more literary or formal way to describe gaining popularity.
be a hit with	Idiomatic and informal; implies a sudden or great success.

Common Mistakes

Wrong Preposition: Learners frequently use the preposition 'by' or 'among' instead of 'with' due to direct translation from their native languages. While "among" is occasionally acceptable in specific literary contexts, with is the standard idiomatic choice.
Verb Choice: Using "have" instead of "be" (e.g., "it has popular with") is a common grammatical slip. Popular is an adjective, so it requires a linking verb like be, seem, or become.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Meaning	Grammatical Pattern	Register
be popular with	Liked or supported by a specific group	[Subject] + be + popular + with + [Group]	Neutral / Formal

FAQs

Can the components of be popular with be separated by other words?

While the adjective and preposition stay together, you can insert adverbs of degree or frequency between the verb and the adjective. For example, one can say "it will always be popular with" or "it is extremely popular with," but the sequence popular with should not be broken by the object.

What is the difference between be popular with and appeal to?

The phrase be popular with describes a state of existing favor or high status within a group. In contrast, appeal to focuses on the power of attraction or the process of being interesting to someone, often used when discussing marketing or aesthetics.

Should I use the preposition among or with when talking about popularity?

Learners frequently use the preposition among instead of with due to direct translation from their native languages, and while among is sometimes used for broad distributions, with is the most natural and standard collocation. To sound like a native speaker, always prioritize be popular with when identifying the group that likes something.

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