Prepositions Part 11
Combinations
A preposition is a word placed before a noun or a pronoun to show in what relation the person or thing denoted by it stands in regard to something else. There are over 100 prepositions in English. This is a very small number compared with the vast number of nouns, adjectives and verbs found in English. Here are some of the prepositions used in English:
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Aggression towards / against
‘Aggression’ means ‘angry or threatening behaviour or feeling that often results in fighting.’
Television violence can encourage aggression in children.
Some dogs show aggression towards strangers.
Natives of a country may show aggression towards immigrants.
Aghast at
Looking shocked by something you have seen or just found out
The complainant was aghast at the verdict.
Agitate for / against
You agitate for something you want.
You agitate against something you dislike.
People are agitating for political reforms.
People are agitating against the use of chemical fertiliser.
Aglow with
Having a soft light or a strong warm colour
The evening sky is still aglow.
Mary’s face is aglow with happiness.
Agonise over / about
To think about a difficult decision very carefully and with a lot of effort.
All the way home Susan was agonised about what she should do.
John did not agonise over which shirt to wear.
Agree with / on / to
To have or express the same opinion about something as someone else
If I feel you are right, I’ll agree with you.
People do not agree on everything the Government does.
Janet agreed to go on a picnic.
Agreeable to
To be willing to do something
My parents are agreeable to my going abroad for higher studies.
Agreement with / between
The Government has come to an agreement with its creditors.
The statement underlines the agreement between the management and the trade union.
In aid of
In order to help a charity
They are collecting money in aid of cancer research.
Aim at / for
To intend to achieve something.
The proposal is aimed at reducing road accidents.
The company is aiming for a big improvement.
By air
You can travel by air.
In the air
If a feeling is in the air, a lot of people feel it at the same time.
There is a sense of excitement in the air during elections.
Akin to
Very similar to something else
Something akin to panic overwhelmed me.
Alarmed by / at
A feeling of fear or worry because something bad or dangerous might happen
There is growing alarm at the increase in crime.
Environmentalists are alarmed by the increase in pollution.
Alert to
To know about or understand something especially possible danger or problem
The authorities should have been alert to the possibility of violence after the elections.
Alibi for
Something that proves that someone was not present where a crime happened, therefore, they would not have done it.
The suspect had a perfect alibi and the police let him go.
Alien to
Very different from what you are used to especially in a way that is difficult to understand.
The way of life in a city can be totally alien to someone who comes from a rural background.
Alienate from
To make it difficult for someone to belong to a particular group, or to feel uncomfortable with a particular person.
He felt that his behaviour had alienated him from others.
Align with
To publicly support a political group, country or person that you agree with.
Some religious leaders have aligned themselves with various political parties.
India is closely aligned with the West.
Alive with
Full of energy, happiness or activity.
Linda’s face was alive with excitement.
Allegiance to
Be loyal to a leader or country
In England people owe allegiance to the king.
Allergic to
Having an allergy.
Some people are allergic to penicillin.
Alliance with
An agreement in which two or more countries agree to work together.
Britain has a military alliance with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
Allied to
To be related to something or to be very similar.
Anthropology is closely allied to psychology.
(Anthropology is the scientific study of people, their society or cultures. Psychology is the study of the mind and how it influences people.)
Allocate to
To use something for a particular purpose.
You should allocate 30 minutes to each question.
