Prepositions Part 27
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
Critical of
If you are critical of someone or something, you are criticising them.
Many economists are critical of the Government’s economic policies.
Criticise for
To express your disapproval of someone or something, or to talk about their faults.
The principal has been criticised for his incompetence.
Cross over
To go from one side of something such as a road, river or room to the other.
The pedestrian was hit by a car when he tried to cross over to the other side of the road.
Crowd into
If people crowd somewhere, they gather together in large numbers, filling a particular place.
Hundreds of people crowded into the cemetery for the prelate’s funeral.
Crowded with
Too full of people or things.
The streets were crowded with shoppers.
Cry with / for
To produce tears from your eyes, usually because you are unhappy or hurt.
Nora felt like crying with frustration.
I could hear her crying for her mother.
Cull from
To find or choose information from many different places.
The data had been culled from a variety of sources.
Culminate in / with
If a process culminates in or with a particular event, it ends with that event.
A series of events for teachers and students will culminate in a Shakespeare drama festival.
The whole event will culminate with a fireworks display.
Cure of / for
To make someone well again after they have been ill.
Most patients can be cured of their diseases.
There is still no cure for AIDS.
Curse on / of
A word or sentence used to ask God or a magical power to do something bad to someone or something.
Susan believed that she had put a curse on the house.
Noise is one of the curses of modern-day life.
Cut with / through
To divide or separate something from its main part.
The telephone wires had been cut with a knife.
You will need a saw to cut through metal.
Dabble in
To do something or be involved in something in a way that is not very serious.
Some people dabble in politics when they are young.
Dally with
To do something or think about something, but not in a very serious way.
I have dallied with the idea of touring round the world.
Dance with
To move your feet and body in a way that matches the style and speed of music.
The bride danced with her father.
Danger from
The possibility that someone or something will be harmed, destroyed or killed.
Some people are not aware of the danger from nuclear tests.
Date on
A particular day of the month or year, especially shown by a number.
The date on the letter was 30th September 2023.
Dawn on
If a fact dawns on you, you realise it for the first time.
It never dawned on Diana that her life was in danger.
Deal with
To take necessary action, especially in order to solve a problem.
Don’t worry. I’ll deal with this matter.
Deal in
To buy and sell a particular type of product.
Ted deals in second-hand books.
Dealings with
The business activities or relationships that someone is involved in.
Ben is ruthless in his dealings with competitors.
