with
with — preposition
1. in the company of someone, or next to or near something — indicating that two or
in the company of someone, or next to or near something — indicating that two or more persons or objects occupy the same location or join in an activity.
Abigail went to the park with her younger brother.
with + person: showing accompaniment
I left my keys with the receptionist at the front desk.
The Watanabe family stayed with friends in Tokyo for a week.
with + someone: staying in their home
Daichi usually eats lunch with his colleagues in the office kitchen.
There is a red bicycle parked with several scooters near the station.
with + things: located together
- go with
- stay with
- leave something with
- meet with
- walk with
- live with
- alongside
more formal, often literal physical position
- together with
emphasises the collective nature of the action
- without
the opposite state — not in someone's company
Grammar Patterns
with + noun phrase
Usage Note
Frequently used to show that two or more people do something together. The object can be a person, a group, or an organization.
Common Mistakes
2. using a particular tool, object, body part, or method to perform an action.
using a particular tool, object, body part, or method to perform an action.
Liam cut the paper with a pair of small blue scissors.
with + tool: means or instrument
The soup is best eaten with a spoon, not a fork.
Ravindra opened the box with his bare hands because he had no knife.
with + body part: using a part of the body
You can pay with a credit card or with cash at the counter.
Quan wrote the address on the envelope with a black felt-tip pen.
with + object: showing the tool used to write
- cut with
- write with
- eat with
- pay with
- fill with
- hit with
- by means of
more formal; used in written or technical contexts
- via
used for digital or abstract methods
Grammar Patterns
with + noun phrase (tool, body part, or method)
Usage Note
Do not confuse with 'by' + -ing (which emphasises the method in a more abstract way). 'With' is used for concrete tools and body parts.
Common Mistakes
3. having or carrying a particular thing; used to describe what a person or object
having or carrying a particular thing; used to describe what a person or object possesses, contains, or shows.
A woman with a red umbrella walked quickly through the rain.
person + with + object: carrying or holding
Lara lives in a small house with a blue front door and a garden.
Mert ordered a cup of coffee with no sugar and a little milk.
food/drink + with + ingredient: containing
The children were jumping on a trampoline with a safety net around it.
Adaeze chose a jacket with deep pockets for her hike in the mountains.
object + with + feature: describing a characteristic
- a person with
- a house with
- a room with
- coffee with
- a bag with
- containing
more formal; used for physical contents of a container or space
- featuring
used for products, events, or creative works
- without
lacking a particular feature or item
Grammar Patterns
noun phrase + with + noun phrase (feature)
Usage Note
Common in descriptive phrases placed after a noun ('a man with a beard', 'a room with a view'). This is the main sense used for physical attributes and features.
Common Mistakes
4. placed before a closing expression like 'love' or 'best wishes', right above the
placed before a closing expression like 'love' or 'best wishes', right above the sender's signature in a written message.
With love from your Auntie Mei — she wrote this at the bottom of her card.
with love: affectionate closing
Sirin finished her email to the professor with kind regards and her full name.
With best wishes for a speedy recovery, your colleague Gabriel.
with best wishes: formal/polite closing
Darius ended every letter to his grandmother with all my love, Darius.
Élise wrote with sincere thanks at the bottom of the wedding invitation reply.
with + expression of gratitude in closing
- with love
- with best wishes
- with kind regards
- with thanks
- with sincere gratitude
Grammar Patterns
with + noun phrase (at the start of a letter closing)
Usage Note
Primarily used in British English letter conventions. Common phrases include 'with love', 'with best wishes', 'with kind regards', and 'with thanks'. These phrases appear directly before the signature.
5. used to say that someone or something is counted as part of a larger total or gr
used to say that someone or something is counted as part of a larger total or group.
The hotel room costs ninety dollars a night, with breakfast included.
with + item: included in the price
With the new students, the class now has forty-two children in total.
The team has twelve members, with three of them joining just last month.
Liam packed everything he needed — with a raincoat and extra socks too.
with + items: listing what is included
Adaeze counted all the guests, with the children sitting at the small table.
- with ... included
- with ... in total
- with ... among them
- excluding
leaving something out of a group or total
Grammar Patterns
with + noun phrase (indicating something is part of a group)
Usage Note
Often interchangeable with 'including' itself. This sense differs from sense 1 (TOGETHER) because it focuses on the numerical or categorical inclusion of someone or something, not on physical co-presence.
6. relating to or affecting a particular person or thing; used to show the connecti
relating to or affecting a particular person or thing; used to show the connection between two facts, people, or situations.
Things are going well with the project, and we will finish on time.
with + abstract noun: state of affairs
There is a problem with the old printer — it keeps jamming every morning.
The manager was very patient with the new staff during their first week.
adjective + with + person: showing how someone behaves towards another
With many children, the earlier you start dinner, the smoother the evening goes.
Ravindra noticed something strange with the car engine after driving for an hour.
something + with + thing: identifying a connection to a subject
- a problem with
- busy with
- wrong with
- patient with
- deal with
- connect with
- help with
- regarding
more formal; used in written and business contexts
- concerning
formal; introduces a topic
Grammar Patterns
with + noun phrase (indicating connection or perspective)
Usage Note
Common in expressions like 'What's wrong with…?', 'What's the matter with…?', and 'something is different with…'. Distinguish from sense 1 (TOGETHER) — this sense expresses a relationship or connection, not physical togetherness.
Common Mistakes
7. Used to describe the substance, material, or items that fill a container, cover
Used to describe the substance, material, or items that fill a container, cover a surface, or are present on something — for example, a bag packed with clothes, a wall covered with paintings, or a jar filled with honey.
Joon opened the box and found it packed with old family photographs.
pattern: packed with [items]
The little girl's hands were covered with chocolate after eating the cake.
A large jug filled with cold lemonade sat on the wooden table.
pattern: filled with [liquid]
The walls of the old temple were decorated with colourful paintings.
Her backpack was stuffed with books and snacks for the long journey.
- filled with
- covered with
- packed with
- stuffed with
- decorated with
Grammar Patterns
be + covered / filled / packed + with [something]
Usage Note
Often follows past participles such as 'covered', 'filled', 'packed', 'stuffed', 'decorated'. The pattern 'verb + with + noun' describes what is on or inside the subject.
Common Mistakes
8. Shows the reason for a physical state, emotion, or reaction — the cause that pro
Shows the reason for a physical state, emotion, or reaction — the cause that produces a visible effect such as trembling, blushing, crying, or brightening.
Layla's voice was shaking with fear during the loud thunderstorm.
pattern: shaking/trembling + with + [emotion]
Tanvi's eyes were bright with excitement when she saw the birthday gift.
The old bridge collapsed with the weight of the heavy truck.
His face was pale with shock after hearing the terrible news.
pattern: pale / red + with + [emotion]
Amani's hands were trembling with cold as she waited outside in the snow.
- shaking with
- trembling with
- red with
- pale with
- bright with
- because of
more explicit and formal; works in any grammatical position
- due to
formal; often used in written English
- from
informal alternative in phrases like 'weak from hunger'
Grammar Patterns
[emotion/state] + with + [cause]
Usage Note
Common after adjectives or verbs describing visible emotional or physical states: 'trembling with', 'shaking with', 'red with', 'pale with', 'bright with'. The noun after 'with' names the cause, and the verb/adjective before it names the effect.
Common Mistakes
9. Indicates opposition, conflict, or competition — used after verbs of arguing, fi
Indicates opposition, conflict, or competition — used after verbs of arguing, fighting, struggling, or competing to name the opposing person, group, or thing.
Amani argued with the shop assistant about the faulty phone.
pattern: argue / fight + with + [somebody]
The young team competed with experienced players from around the world.
Sirin had a disagreement with her colleague over the project deadline.
The government is struggling with rising prices across the whole country.
Jude fought with his cousin over who could use the computer first.
pattern: fight / struggle + with + [opponent]
- argue with
- fight with
- compete with
- struggle with
- disagree with
- against
stronger sense of active resistance; more direct opposition
Grammar Patterns
argue / fight / compete + with + [somebody]
Usage Note
Common after verbs of conflict: 'fight with', 'argue with', 'compete with', 'struggle with', 'disagree with'. Unlike 'against', 'with' in this sense is the standard preposition after these verbs — not a free choice.
Common Mistakes
10. Used after verbs of separating, ending, or removing to show what is being let go
Used after verbs of separating, ending, or removing to show what is being let go of, gotten rid of, or left behind — for example, parting with an old possession or doing away with an old rule.
Christopher found it hard to part with his old laptop even though it was broken.
pattern: part with [possession]
The school decided to do away with the outdated uniform policy.
Tanvi could not bear to part with her grandmother's silver ring.
Sirin broke with tradition and chose to wear a colourful dress to the ceremony.
pattern: break with [tradition / custom]
The musician had to part with his favourite guitar to pay for his studies.
- part with
- do away with
- break with
Grammar Patterns
part / separate / dispense + with + [something/somebody]
Usage Note
This sense is restricted to a fixed set of verb collocations: 'part with' (give away, separate from), 'do away with' (abolish, eliminate), 'break with' (end a connection to a tradition or group). These are phrasal combinations where 'with' cannot be replaced by another preposition.
Common Mistakes
11. Used to add one thing or person to another, meaning 'and also' or 'as well as' —
Used to add one thing or person to another, meaning 'and also' or 'as well as' — listing items that come together as a set, such as a meal with a drink or a house with a garden.
Chiara ordered pasta with tomato sauce and a glass of water.
pattern: [item] + with + [accompaniment]
The apartment comes with a parking space and a storage room.
Hao packed a suitcase with warm clothes for the winter trip to Japan.
The book, with its clear illustrations, is a great tool for beginners.
Layla made a salad with fresh tomatoes and olives from the market.
pattern: [something] + with + [ingredients/features]
- come with
- with ... and
- together with
- and
simpler and more direct; 'with' adds a sense of combination
- plus
informal; frequently used in pricing or listing contexts
- together with
more formal; emphasises the combined nature
- without
lacking or not including
Grammar Patterns
[noun phrase] + with + [noun phrase]
Usage Note
Closely related to sense 1 (ACCOMPANY), but emphasises the additive 'and also' function rather than physical togetherness. Often substitutes for 'and' when introducing an associated feature or component.
12. Used to show how one person or thing is different from another when placed side
Used to show how one person or thing is different from another when placed side by side for evaluation — often appearing in the phrases 'compared with', 'compare with', or 'in comparison with'.
Compared with last winter, this year has been much warmer and drier.
pattern: compared with [reference point]
Jason's salary is low compared with his colleagues in the same industry.
This phone model is much lighter compared with the previous version.
The cost of living in the city is high in comparison with the countryside.
pattern: in comparison with [something]
Sofia's test score was excellent compared with the rest of the class.
- compared with
- in comparison with
- compare with
- compared to
more common in American English; often used interchangeably
- in relation to
more formal; less specific to direct comparison
Grammar Patterns
compare + with + [something]
compared with + [something]
in comparison with + [something]
Usage Note
Most common in the fixed expressions 'compared with' and 'in comparison with'. Note that some speakers use 'compared to' interchangeably, though traditional grammar distinguishes them ('compared with' for similarities and differences, 'compared to' for stating a likeness).
Common Mistakes
13. agreeing with or supporting someone, or supporting a particular idea or plan
agreeing with or supporting someone, or supporting a particular idea or plan
The union is with the workers on the issue of higher wages.
with + [group] + on + [topic]
Samir is with Yasmin on the decision to expand the business.
Are you with me on this proposal, or do you have doubts?
question form: be with + [person] + on + [proposal]
The entire committee was with the chairperson on the budget changes.
Voters who care about education should be with the candidate who supports schools.
- be with someone on something
- side with
- vote with
- against
opposite meaning, as in 'be against someone or something'
Grammar Patterns
be with + [person] + on + [issue]
Usage Note
Frequently used with the verb 'be' — the structure is 'be with someone on something.' Often appears in contexts of voting, negotiation, or debate.
Common Mistakes
14. aligned with a moving force or natural flow, such as a current, wind, or tide
aligned with a moving force or natural flow, such as a current, wind, or tide
The boat drifted with the current toward the open sea.
with + [current] (natural force)
Élise was cycling with the wind, so the ride felt easy.
Cut the fabric with the grain instead of against it.
with + [grain] as fixed directional reference
The geese flew south with the changing season each autumn.
Yael swam with the current at the beach and reached the buoy quickly.
- with the current
- with the wind
- with the tide
- with the grain
- following
verb form; 'with' is more concise in prepositional phrases
- in the direction of
longer equivalent phrase, less common in everyday speech
- against
opposite direction or contrary movement
Grammar Patterns
with + [natural force: current, wind, tide]
Usage Note
Often contrasted with 'against' in the same context ('with the wind' vs. 'against the wind'). Can be used literally (direction of movement) or figuratively ('go with the flow').
Common Mistakes
15. happening or changing at the same speed or at the same time as another developme
happening or changing at the same speed or at the same time as another development or process
The price of bread at Ziad's shop rose with the cost of flour.
with + [cost/item] showing parallel economic change
Eshe's confidence grew with each art show she organised at the community centre.
Hugo's Spanish improved with each evening class he took at the local college.
with + [class/subject] as cause of improvement
The pain in Anong's knee decreased with the new treatment.
With every lesson, Hiro's understanding of the subject grew deeper.
sentence-initial: with every/each + [noun]
- increase with
- decrease with
- improve with
- grow with
- change with
Grammar Patterns
with + [noun] (change or development)
with every/each + [noun]
Usage Note
This sense links two factors that change together — one often causes or influences the other. Common with verbs like 'increase,' 'decrease,' 'grow,' 'improve,' and 'change.'
Common Mistakes
16. understanding and following what someone is explaining or telling you
understanding and following what someone is explaining or telling you
The teacher spoke quickly, but the class was with her.
be with + [person] = understand that person
Are you with me, or should I go back over the main points?
I am not with you — could you explain that part again?
negative: not with + [person]
Ravindra was with the speaker throughout the entire presentation.
Keep explaining — I am with you on every step of the argument.
- be with someone
- not with you
- with me so far
- lose
as in 'lose track of someone's explanation'
Grammar Patterns
be with + [somebody]
not be with + [somebody]
Usage Note
Almost always used with the verb 'be.' Most common in questions ('Are you with me?') and negative statements ('I'm not with you'). Informal register — in formal writing, use 'follow' or 'understand.'
Common Mistakes
17. even though a difficult or negative situation exists; in spite of a particular c
even though a difficult or negative situation exists; in spite of a particular circumstance
With all her experience, she still felt nervous before big meetings.
With + all [noun] — concessive meaning
With the rain pouring down, the match continued without stopping.
With very little sleep, Ilan managed to finish the report on time.
With the budget so tight, the team still delivered a great result.
With + [constraint], [positive outcome]
With all his bravery, Walid quietly asked for help when he needed it.
- with all
- with + [obstacle]
- despite
more explicit concessive preposition, formal register
- in spite of
slightly more emphatic than 'despite', same register
Grammar Patterns
With + [noun phrase], [clause showing contrasting result]
Usage Note
Sentence-initial 'With + noun phrase' creates a concessive meaning ('despite X, Y happened'). Can be rephrased using 'despite' or 'in spite of' for formal contexts. The noun phrase typically describes an obstacle or surprising condition.
Common Mistakes
18. used in exclamations to express a strong wish, hope, or direct command, often in
used in exclamations to express a strong wish, hope, or direct command, often in short fixed phrases
Off with his head! shouted the queen in fury.
fixed exclamation: off with + [noun] — command
Down with the old rules and up with the new ideas!
Away with you — this area is for staff only!
away with + [pronoun] — dismissal command
With any luck, the sun will come out for the picnic.
with any luck — wish/hope expression
With a bit of luck, we will catch the early train.
- off with
- down with
- away with
- up with
- with any luck
- hopefully
adverb, equivalent for wish/hope expressions like 'with any luck'
- let's have
less forceful instruction equivalent
Grammar Patterns
[adverb] + with + [noun/pronoun]
With + any/a bit of + [noun], [clause]
Usage Note
This sense covers two related patterns: (a) exclamations with 'off/down/away/up + with + noun' to give commands, and (b) 'With any/a bit of luck' to express hope. Both are fixed, idiomatic patterns — you cannot substitute other adverbs freely.
Common Mistakes
To agree with and support someone's opinion or action.
I am with you on the new project plan.
Are you with me on this decision?
be with me/you
idiomTo understand what someone is saying or explaining.
I'm not with you; could you repeat that?
Are you with me so far?
with it
idiomAware of and able to think clearly about what is happening.
Maya doesn't seem very with it this morning.
You need to be more with it during the meeting.
with that
idiomImmediately after saying or doing something; then.
He finished his speech and with that left the room.
She closed the book and with that turned off the light.
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: preposition/1
'With' emphasises togetherness or accompaniment ('I went with my sister'), whereas 'by' highlights the agent or method in passive or instrumental contexts ('written by Shakespeare', 'travel by train'). 'And' coordinates two items without indicating relationship ('Lisa and Tom'), while 'with' implies they are together or associated ('Lisa with Tom'). 'Using' is a more concrete and active alternative for the instrument sense ('using a knife' is more explicit than 'with a knife'). 'Alongside' adds a formal, often spatial nuance of parallel position.
Common collocations
Adverbs
- together with
- along with
- up with
Etymology
From Old English 'wiþ' meaning 'against, opposite, toward', related to Old Norse 'við' (against, with). The meaning shifted over time from the sense of 'opposition' (still seen in 'fight with', 'argue with') toward the more neutral sense of 'accompaniment' and 'association' that dominates modern English.