with - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
with Word Meanings
- accompanied by someone or something
- in the company of
- in relation to
with Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
with Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/wɪð/
US
/wɪθ/
with Word Etymology
The root 'with' comes from the Old English 'wið', meaning 'against, opposite'. It has Germanic origins, evolving through Old English into its modern form. Picture a pair of friends standing side by side, symbolizing unity and support in whatever they face.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I reach for my jacket and step outside, moving with the slow beat of a friend ahead of me. We walk side by side, keeping in sync as the city hums around us. I notice how I pull my focus toward our shared plan, how I adjust my pace to match theirs, and how the world feels smaller when we move together. In this moment the sense of being with someone slips into my thoughts, a simple cue that we are in the company of another and tied to what we’re doing.
Real Context
With is a versatile English preposition that signals accompaniment, relationships, and means. It can describe someone or something being together, as in I traveled with a friend, or describe tools and methods, as in cut with a knife. It also appears in expressions about possession or characteristics, such as a woman with a red hat or a chart with data. Learners often confuse with other prepositions like by, for, or in, leading to phrases that sound odd, such as go with you or work with? The key is that with introduces a noun phrase and connects two things as a unit or instrument. Practice with concrete scenes to feel the nuance.
Usage Reminders
- - with introduces a noun phrase after it
- - use with for accompaniment, tools, or means
- - distinguish with from similar prepositions like by, for, or in
- - after with, pronouns follow as objects (with me, with you)
- - avoid pairing with non-nominal verbs directly (not 'with go')
- - practice describing people, objects, and actions together
Common Misconceptions
- Confusing with about accompaniment with for indicating purpose
- Thinking 'with' can follow a verb (e. g., go with) without a noun after it
- Using 'with' to replace 'and' in lists (I bought with, bread) is wrong
- Mixing up 'with someone' vs 'by someone' for agent in passive sentences
- Forgetting to attach the pronoun after with (with me, with you) rather than before
Thinking Differences
Explain to an English speaker: focus on when with denotes accompaniment vs instrument; notice how with often ties two things into a unit and can be left implicit in casual speech when talking about shared activities.
Learning Tips
- Identify the main sense: accompaniment, instrument, or relation
- Practice with people and objects you actually interact with
- Compare with similar prepositions to see subtle differences
- Use pronouns after with (with me, with you) for natural phrasing
- Create mini dialogues that involve sharing activities
- Mix examples across different contexts to build intuition
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
Which option best defines the word 'with'?
A.Describing a point in time
B.Expressing absence or lack
C.Indicating accompaniment or being together
D.Showing a sequence of events
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses the word 'with' correctly?
A.He complained with the weather all day.
B.She went to the store with her brother.
C.They arrived with the meeting room at noon.
D.I will finish the report with tomorrow.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar in meaning to 'with'?
A.without
B.alongside
C.during
D.because
Step 4: Opposite Words
Which word is the opposite of 'with'?
A.without
B.alongside
C.among
D.beside
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life context where you would use the word 'with'?
A.I went to the concert my sister and her friends.
B.The meeting starts at 3 PM.
C.He checked the schedule before leaving.
D.She sent the package through overnight mail.
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