Prepositions Part 17
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
Besotted with
To love or want someone or something so much that you cannot think or behave sensibly.
Sam is completely besotted with Susan.
Bestow on
To give someone something of great value or importance.
Harry was grateful to the queen for the honour she had bestowed on him.
Bet on
To risk money on the result of a race, game, competition, or other future event.
Edmond bet all his money on a horse that came last.
Betray to
To be disloyal to someone who trusts you, so that they are harmed or upset.
Roger betrayed his own brother to the police.
Beware of
This is used to warn someone to be careful because something is dangerous.
Beware of the dog!
Bewildered by
Totally confused.
The police were bewildered by the racket.
Biased towards
Unfairly preferring one person or group over another.
News reporting was heavily biased towards the Government.
Bid for
An offer to pay a particular price for something, especially at an auction.
A takeover bid for the airline was launched yesterday.
Bill for
A written list showing how much you have to pay for services you have received, or work that has been done.
The bill for the repairs came to Rs. 50,000.
Bind with
To tie someone so that they cannot move or escape.
Villagers bound the arms and legs of the thief with rope.
Blame for
To say or think that someone or something is responsible for something bad.
Mary blamed herself for her husband’s untimely death.
Blasphemy against
Something you say or do that is insulting to God.
John was charged with alleged blasphemy against Christianity.
Blaze with
If someone’s eyes are blazing, their eyes are shining brightly because they are feeling a very strong emotion, usually anger.
Laura leapt to her feet, her eyes blazing with anger.
Blend together / with
To combine different things in a way that produces an effective or pleasant result, or to become combined in this way.
Diana left the sauce to allow the flavours blend together.
For breakfast we had cornflower blended with a little milk.
Blind by
To make it difficult for someone to see for a short time.
For a moment, the boy was blinded by the glare of headlights coming towards him.
Blossom into
To become happier, more beautiful or more successful.
Rosy has blossomed into womanhood.
Blow onto
To send air out from your mouth.
Josephine blew onto her coffee to cool it down.
Blueprint for
A plan for achieving something.
Rex has prepared a blueprint for a new shopping mall.
Boast about
To talk too proudly about your abilities, achievements, or possessions.
Roger is boasting about how much money he has earned.
Bode for
To be a good or bad sign for the future.
The opinion polls do not bode well for the Democrats.
Bombard with
To criticise or question someone too much.
Reporters bombarded him with questions.
Bond between
Something that unites two or more people.
There is an emotional bond between parents and children.
Book into
To arrive at a hotel and say who you are.
Several tourists are booking into hotels.
Boom out
To say something in a loud deep voice.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” his voice boomed out.
Boon to
Something that is very useful.
The school bus service is a real boon to students living far away.
Border between
The official line that separates two countries.
Bob lived in a city near the border between the United States and Mexico.
Bored with
Tired and impatient because you do not think something is interesting.
Rex is bored with his present job.
Born to
To be very suitable for a particular job.
Colvin was born to be a lawyer.
