ENGLISH
REFERENCE

in the presence of sth

prep. phr..
C1 Advanced Oxford

prep. phr.. to be in the same place as something, or to happen while something else is there.

prep. phr.. a prepositional phrase indicating the physical proximity or existence of a specific substance, person, or condition within a given environment.


SIMPLE

The chemical changes color in the presence of oxygen.

CONTEXTUAL

The witness felt nervous testifying in the presence of the defendant during the trial.

COMPLEX

Certain rare minerals only form deep within the earth's crust in the presence of extreme heat and immense pressure.

Usage

often used in scientific contexts or formal legal and social descriptions.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'in front of' which is purely spatial; 'in the presence of' implies a state of being or a chemical/social influence.

Pitfall

in presence of oxygenin the presence of oxygenthe definite article 'the' is a mandatory part of this fixed prepositional phrase.

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