with

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'with' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a preposition to indicate accompaniment or association, as in "I went to the store with my brother."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

The Economist

The Guardian

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 people, objects, or ideas. Ensure the context makes the relationship explicit, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "with" when "by" is more appropriate to indicate the agent performing an action in a passive sentence. For example, use "The book was written by John" instead of "The book was written with John."

Linguistic Context

"With" primarily functions as a preposition, indicating relationships between elements in a sentence. It shows association, accompaniment, possession, or the means by which something is done. As Ludwig AI confirms, "with" is a versatile preposition used to connect ideas and objects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "with" is a highly versatile preposition used to indicate accompaniment, means, support, or possession. As Ludwig AI states, it’s a standard and correct element of English grammar. It's prevalent across diverse contexts, from news and media to formal business writing. While generally neutral, it's essential to avoid misusing "with" in passive constructions where "by" is more appropriate. Remember to use "with" to create clear and meaningful connections within your sentences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

together with

Emphasizes a combined action or presence of multiple entities.

accompanied by

Focuses on the presence of something or someone as a companion.

alongside

Indicates being next to or side by side with something or someone.

in the company of

Stresses the social aspect of being with someone.

in conjunction with

Highlights a collaborative or coordinated effort.

including

Emphasizes that something is part of a larger group or set.

in support of

Indicates backing or advocacy for a cause or person.

featuring

Highlights a prominent attribute or element of something.

by means of

Highlights the method or tool used to achieve a result.

possessing

Focuses on the act of owning or having something.

FAQs

How can I use "with" in a sentence?

You can use "with" to indicate accompaniment, possession, means, or support. For example, "I went to the store with my friend," "She has a house with a garden," or "He cut the bread with a knife".

What are some alternatives to using "with"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "alongside", "together with", or "in conjunction with".

What's the difference between "with" and "without"?

"With" indicates the presence or inclusion of something, while "without" indicates its absence or exclusion. For example, "coffee with sugar" versus "coffee without sugar".

Is it correct to end a sentence with "with"?

Ending a sentence with a preposition like "with" is generally acceptable in informal contexts, although some style guides discourage it. Rewording the sentence can often improve clarity. For example, instead of "Who did you go with?", consider "With whom did you go?"