With

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "with" is a perfectly correct and usable word in written English.
You can use "with" to mean "in the company of" or "accompanied by", to indicate the way things are connected to each other, or to indicate the use of a tool or instrument. For example, "The little girl went to the park with her friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What's wrong with Britain?

The Guardian - Travel

It had nothing to do with me.

The New York Times - Sports

Two were given a gel containing PRO 2000 (in different concentrations for each group), along with advice about how to use it, a regular supply of condoms and counselling on safe sexual practice and sexual health.

The Economist

In fact, with none of the fun bits".

The Guardian

Though that announcement had been hedged with the usual caveats, there was guarded optimism that MDP 301 would have similar results.

The Economist

And with good reason.

The New York Times - Sports

"Even the angel Gabriel would struggle to survive with that hanging over his head.

The Guardian

"It's got nothing to do with me.

The New York Times - Sports

"I will always treasure my opportunity to have done that with you, and I will always regret the circumstances that brought that work with you to an end".

The New York Times

With difficulty.

The New York Times - Arts

"This will ensure that persons with facial coverings can continue to enter the Chamber galleries, without needing to be identifiable".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with" to clearly indicate relationships between objects, people, or ideas. Ensure the context makes the relationship explicit.

Common error

Avoid using "with" when "by" is more appropriate in passive voice constructions. For example, use "The book was written by John" instead of "The book was written with John".

Linguistic Context

The primary function of "with" is to serve as a preposition, indicating relationships of accompaniment, possession, instrument, or means. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in expressing associations and methods.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "with" is a versatile and exceedingly common preposition in English, used to denote accompaniment, means, possession, and other relationships. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness is undisputed. Its frequent appearance in news articles, business documents, and scientific publications underscores its neutrality and broad applicability. While synonyms like ""along with"" or ""together with"" can sometimes substitute for it, it’s crucial to consider the context to ensure the most precise meaning is conveyed. A key point to remember is to avoid misusing "with" in passive constructions where "by" is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

along with

Similar to "with", but can emphasize addition.

accompanied by

Indicates the presence of something or someone else.

together with

Highlights the combined presence or action.

in conjunction with

Emphasizes a collaborative or simultaneous action.

in the company of

Specifically refers to being with someone.

in association with

Emphasizes a formal connection or partnership.

including

Used to list items or elements that are part of a whole.

by means of

Indicates the instrument or method used.

utilizing

Focuses on the use of something.

possessing

Highlights ownership or having something.

FAQs

How can I use "with" in a sentence?

"With" can indicate accompaniment, possession, or means. For example, "She went to the store with her friend", "He has a house with a garden", or "Cut it with a knife".

What are some common synonyms for "with"?

Some common synonyms for "with" include "along with", "together with", and "accompanied by", depending on the context.

What is the difference between "with" and "without"?

"With" indicates the presence or inclusion of something, while "without" indicates the absence or exclusion of something.

Is it ever incorrect to start a sentence with "with"?

While starting a sentence with "with" is grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound awkward. Consider rephrasing the sentence for clarity and flow. For example, instead of "With great effort, he succeeded", try "He succeeded with great effort".