Prepositions Part 22
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
Comparable with
Similar to something else in size, number, or quality.
Jane’s poetry is hardly comparable with Shakespeare’s.
Compare with
To consider two or more things or people in order to show how they are similar or different .
The police compared the suspect’s fingerprints with those found at the crime scene.
Compensate for
To replace or balance the effect of something bad.
Her intelligence more than compensates for her lack of experience.
Compete with / in / against
If one company or country competes with another, it tries to get people to buy goods or services from them rather than those available from another company or country.
We found ourselves competing with foreign companies for a share of the market.
We must be able to compete in the international market.
Bob has competed against the finest athletes in France.
Competent in
Having enough skills or knowledge to do something to a satisfactory standard.
People can be taught to be competent in their skills.
Complacent about
Pleased with a situation, especially something you have achieved, so that you stop trying to improve or change things – used to show disapproval.
We simply cannot afford to be complacent about the future.
Complain to
To say that you are annoyed, not satisfied, or unhappy about something or someone.
Neighbours have complained to the police about the dogs barking.
Complement to
To make a good combination with someone or something else.
The quiet good humour of his wife made a perfect complement to his ebullient nature.
Complementary to
Complementary things go well together, although they are usually different.
The roles of sexes are complementary to each other.
Complete with
Having particular equipment or features.
The house comes complete with swimming pool and three bedrooms.
Complex about
Consisting of many different parts and often difficult to understand.
Leo had an inferiority complex about his size.
Complexities of
The state of being complicated.
The lecturer has already explained the complexities of economics.
Compliance with
Obeying a rule, agreement, or demand.
My uncle changed his name to Dixon in compliance with his father’s will.
Compliment on
A remark that shows you admire someone or something.
Dan complimented Susan on her sense of humour.
Comply with
To do what you have to do or are asked to do.
Failure to comply with the regulations will result in prosecution.
Composed of
To be formed from a number of substances, parts or people.
Water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen.
Composite of
Something made up from different parts or materials.
The author has built a useful composite picture of contemporary consumer culture.
Compounded of
To be a mixture of things.
The smell compounded of dust and dead flowers.
Comprise
To consist of particular parts or groups.
The house comprises two bed rooms, a kitchen and a living room.
Compromise with / between
An agreement that is achieved after everyone involved accepts less than what they wanted at first.
Fresh attempts of compromise with the legislature were on the agenda.
There is no compromise between the Government and the opposition.
Conceive of
To imagine a particular situation or to think about something in a particular way.
Many people cannot conceive of a dinner without meat or fish.
Concentrate on
To give most of your attention or effort to one thing.
He concentrated on the provisions made for children in the proposed legislation.
Concern about
To become involved in something because you are interested in it or because it worries you.
He told them not to concern themselves about him.
Concerned with
We are more concerned with efficiency than expansion.
Conclude from
To decide that something is true after considering all the information you have.
He concluded from his studies that equality between the sexes is still a long way off.
