Be fed on vs Be fed with

Both "be fed on" and "be fed with" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Be fed on" is used when something is consumed by another living thing, like plants being fed on by insects. "Be fed with" is used when someone or something is provided with food or nourishment.

Last updated: April 01, 2024 • 1621 views

Be fed on

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used when something is consumed by another living thing. For example, plants can be fed on by insects.

Examples:

The crops were being fed on by pests.
The carcass was being fed on by vultures.
The leaves were being fed on by caterpillars.

Show examples from the web [+]

The worms can be fed on rolled oats.
During this period the worms should be fed on the same food to be used in the test (see paragraphs 31 to 33).
According to the principles governing the organic production at farm level set out in Annex I to Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91, livestock must be fed on organically produced feedingstuffs.
Rebekah knows some people who like to be fed on.
Cows must be fed on a balanced diet right through the transition period.
The animals must be fed on fodder originating in the defined geographical area.
She wants to be fed on.
Children can visit chicken, goats and cats, which can also be fed on request.
Cows producing milk for the production of Casatella Trevigiana PDO must be fed on a diet comprising at least 90 % of fodder from the area indicated in point 4.3.
Where possible roughage should be fed on the ground or in suitably designed round bale feeders.
If that was all grass-fed beef 382 people would be fed on the land.
If the artist avoids social relations, the public will be fed on the wastes of the barbaric production for masses .
Livestock should be fed on grass, fodder and feedingstuffs produced in accordance with the rules of organic farming, preferably coming from the own holding, by taking into account their physiological needs.
The test plant shall be fed on the test field with domestic waste water in accordance with the loading specified in Table 1.
Did you think how many families could be fed on what you pay to get on the front pages?
(12) Livestock must be fed on grass, fodder and feedingstuffs produced in accordance with the rules of organic farming;
Tyrolean and national specialities can be sampled in nearby restaurants. Children can visit chicken, goats and cats, which can also be fed on request.
Instead they will have little living space, be fed on fodder and be milked three times, rather than twice, a day.
That wasn't what we were discu... that wasn't the whole... they say the best vampires don't bleed their victims dry, but give them the strength so that they can bounce back only to be fed on again.

Alternatives:

be consumed by
be eaten by
be devoured by
be preyed upon by
be gnawed on by

Be fed with

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used when someone or something is provided with food or nourishment. For example, babies are fed with milk.