Prepositions Part 21
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
Close down
If a company or shop closes down, it stops operating permanently.
Paramount closed down its London office in 1968.
Close to
Seeming very likely to happen or very likely to do something soon.
India and Sri Lanka are close to signing a trade agreement.
Closet with
To shut someone in a room, away from other people in order to discuss something private.
All morning he has been closeted with Government officials.
Clothe in
To put clothes on your body.
The queen was clothed in a purple gown.
Clue to
A piece of information that helps someone to solve a crime or mystery.
Police have found a vital clue to the murder.
Clutch at
To suddenly take hold of someone or something because you are frightened.
The child clutched at a pillar for support.
Clutter with
To cover or fill a space or room with too many things, so that it looks very untidy.
The city walls were cluttered with posters.
Coat with
To cover something with a thin layer of something else.
She coated the fish with breadcrumbs.
Coax into
To persuade someone to do something that they do not want to do by talking to them in a kind, gentle and patient way.
He was able to coax her into going along with him.
Coerce into
To force someone to do something they do not want to do by threatening them.
The robber coerced the villager into hiding him from the police.
Coexist with
If two different things coexist, they exist at the same time or in the same place.
Some fish can coexist with other marine life.
Coil around
To wind or twist into a series of rings or to make something do this.
The snake coiled around the tree.
Coincide with
To happen at the same time as something else, especially by chance.
His entry to the party coincided with his marriage.
Collaborate with
To work together with a person or group in order to achieve something.
We should collaborate with other universities in putting forward proposals.
Collide with
To hit something or someone that is moving in a different direction from you.
A bus collided with a van on the road.
Collision with
An accident in which two or more people or vehicles hit each other while moving in different directions.
The school bus was involved in a collision with a truck.
Comb out
To use a comb to make untidy hair look smart and tidy.
Grace sat in front of the mirror combing out her hair.
Combine with
If you combine two or more different things, they begin to exist or work together.
Diets are most effective when combined with exercise.
Come with
If someone comes with you, they go to a place with you.
I asked Susan to come with me.
Come up
To reach a particular level or place.
The water came up as far as my chest.
Come in
To be produced or sold with particular features.
The sofa comes in four colours.
Come down
To reach a particular level or place.
Charlotte had blonde hair which came down to her waist.
Commensurate with
Matching something in size, quality or length of time.
Your salary will be commensurate with your age and experience.
Comment on
To express an opinion about someone or something.
People are always commenting on his size.
Commentary on
A spoken description of an event given while it is happening, especially on television or radio.
Watson will give you a full commentary on the match.
Commiserate with
To express your sympathy for someone who is unhappy about something.
Emma commiserated with him on his ill luck.
Committed to
Willing to work very hard at something.
We are fully committed to equal opportunities for men and women.
Communicate with
To exchange information with other people, using words, signs, or writing.
We communicate with each other mostly by e-mail.
