Prepositions Part 20
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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Cede to
To give something such as an area of land or a right to a country or person, especially when you are forced to do so.
Hong Kong was ceded to Britain in 1842.
Ceiling on
The largest number or amount of something that is officially allowed.
The Government has imposed a ceiling on imports of foreign cars.
Central to
More important and having more influence than anything else.
Moral values are central to our society.
Centre on
To move something to a position at the centre of something else.
The title isn’t quite centred on the book cover.
Certain of
Confident and sure without any doubts.
Someone is watching me; I am quite certain of it.
Certify as
To give an official paper to someone stating that they have completed a course of training for a profession.
Cathy was certified as a teacher in 2012.
Chafe under
To feel impatient or annoyed.
Some drivers are chafing under the new restrictions.
Champion of
Someone who publicly fights for and defends an aim or principle, such as the rights of a group of people.
Diane was a champion of women’s rights.
Chance of
The possibility that something will happen, especially something you want.
There’s little chance of her being found alive.
Change into
To become different, or to make something become different.
The hissing sound gradually changed into a low hum.
Characteristic of
A quality or feature of something or someone that is typical of them and easy to recognise.
What are the qualities that are characteristic of the Nixon administration?
Charge for
To ask someone for a particular amount of money for something you are selling.
We won’t charge for delivery if you pay now.
Charge with
To state officially that someone may be guilty of a crime.
Dominic has been charged with murder.
Charge towards
To deliberately rush quickly towards someone or something in order to attack them.
The bear charged towards the hunter at full speed.
Chat with
To have an informal friendly conversation with someone.
I had a long chat with my friend.
Chat about
To talk quickly in a friendly way without stopping.
We were chatting about the events at the birthday party.
Cheat in
To behave in a dishonest way in order to win or to get an advantage.
Rockwood cheated in the examination by using a calculator.
Check in
If you check in at a hotel, you go to the desk and report that you have arrived.
Elizabeth checked in at a five-star hotel.
Choke on
To be unable to breathe because something is in your throat or there is not enough air.
The child choked on a piece of bread.
Choose from
To decide which one of a number of things or people you want.
You can choose from a wide range of vehicles.
Clad in
Wearing a particular kind of clothing.
Violet was clad in a thin cotton dress.
Claim for
An official request for money that you think you have a right to.
Brian lost his claim for travelling expenses.
Clamour for
To demand something loudly.
Teachers are clamouring for higher salaries.
Clash with
If two armies or groups clash, they start fighting.
Police have clashed with demonstrators.
Class of
A group of people, animals or things that are considered together because they are similar in some way.
Have you passed the test for this class of vehicles?
Claw at
To tear or pull at something using claws of your fingers.
The cat keeps clawing at the rug.
Cling to
To hold someone or something, especially because you do not feel safe
The child wailed and clung to his mother.
Clobber for
To affect or punish someone or something badly, especially by making them lose money.
The newspaper got clobbered for libel.
Clog with
To block something or become blocked.
The drains have got clogged with garbage.
