# with

/ˈwɪð/ (US) · /wˈɪð/ (UK) · CEFR A1 · Preposition

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/with
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

used to show that people or things are together or doing something at the same time. You also use it to talk about the tool or method you use to finish a task.

For teachers: indicating accompaniment, association, or the instrument used to perform an action. Functions as a head of a prepositional phrase to link a noun or pronoun to the rest of the sentence.

## Examples

- I am going to the park with my friends.
- She managed to open the locked wooden box with a small silver key she found in the drawer.
- The architect designed the building with both aesthetic beauty and structural integrity in mind, ensuring it would withstand the harsh coastal winds while remaining a local landmark.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I am angry with you because of what you said." but "I am angry with you." — While 'with' is correct for people, learners often confuse prepositions after adjectives; 'angry with' is the standard collocation for people, while 'angry at' or 'about' is used for situations.

## Usage notes

- Typically followed by a noun phrase or pronoun in the objective case. When used to indicate an instrument, it is often contrasted with 'by', which indicates the agent or the method.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.