Mastering english prepositions - Examples practice

Part One: The Prepositions
How to Use Part One
Unit 1: About
Unit 2: Above
Unit 3: Across
Unit 4: After
Unit 5: Against
Unit 6: Ahead Of*
Unit 7: Along
Unit 8: Among
Unit 9: Around
Unit 10: As
Unit 11: At
Unit 12: Back To*/Back From*
Unit 13: Before
Unit 14: Behind
Unit 15: Below
Unit 16: Beneath
Unit 17: Beside
Unit 18: Besides
Unit 19: Between
Unit 20: Beyond
Unit 21: But
Unit 22: By
Unit 23: Close To*
Unit 24: Despite/In Spite Of*
Unit 25: Down
Unit 26: During
Unit 27: Except
Unit 28: Far From*
Unit 29: For
Unit 30: From
Unit 31: In
Unit 32: In Back Of*
Unit 33: In Front Of*
Unit 34: Inside
Unit 35: Instead Of*
Unit 36: Into
Unit 37: Like
Unit 38: Near
Unit 39: Next To*
Unit 40: Of
Unit 41: Off
Unit 42: On
Unit 43: Onto
Unit 44: On Top Of*
Unit 45: Opposite
Unit 46: Out
Unit 47: Outside
Unit 48: Over
Unit 49: Past
Unit 50: Through
Unit 51: Throughout
Unit 52: To
Unit 53: Toward
Unit 54: Towards
Unit 55: Under
Unit 56: Underneath
Unit 57: Until
Unit 58: Up
Unit 59: With
Unit 60: Within
Unit 61: Without
Part Two: Prepositions by Function
How to Use Part Two
Unit 1: Time
Unit 2: Location
Unit 3: Direction
Unit 4: Number
Unit 5: Weather
Unit 6: Source of Information
Unit 7: Affiliation
Unit 8: Description
Unit 9: Wearing
Unit 10: Topic
Unit 11: Recipient
Unit 12: State
Unit 13: Separation
Unit 14: Attitude
Unit 15: Behavior
Part Three: Using Prepositions
How to Use Part Three
Unit 1: Prepositional Phrases
Unit 2: Prepositions in Questions
Unit 3: Prepositions in Noun Clauses
Unit 4: Prepositions in Adjective Clauses
Part Four: Phrasal Verbs
How to Use Part Four
Unit 1: Nonseparable Combinations
Unit 2: Must-Be-Separated Combinations
Unit 3: Separable Combinations
Unit 4: Nonseparable Combinations with an Additional Preposition
Unit 5: Separable Combinations with an Additional Preposition
Unit 6: Intransitive Combinations
Unit 7: Intransitive Verb-Adverb Combinations Followed by a Preposition
Unit 8: Phrasal Verbs Used as Nouns
Unit 9: Phrasal Verbs Used as Adjectives
Part Five: Prepositions as Nouns, Adjectives, and Verbs
Unit 1: Nouns
Unit 2: Adjectives
Unit 3: Verbs
Appendices
Appendix 1: Answer Key
Appendix 2: Index of Phrases
*Two- or three-word combinations that function as prepositions
Introduction
Prepositions pose more problems for the non-native speaker or learner of English
than any other part of speech. Why? Prepositions are just little words that never
change in form; they are pronounced softly, in unstressed syllables; they aren’t even
given capital letters in book titles; native speakers choose the correct ones without
thinking. How can they be confusing?
The word preposition has a straightforward definition: a word placed before a noun or
pronoun to define its relationship with another word in the sentence. For the learner
of English, however, prepositions are anything but straightforward.
• Prepositions are difficult, if not impossible, to define without using other
prepositions.
Example:
In the sentence, “The book is on the table,” what does on mean?
On means “above and supported by.”
• In no other language are the prepositions (if they exist at all) the exact
equivalents of English prepositions.
Examples:
Spanish English
Tíralo a la basura. Throw it in the trash.
Vamos a la casa de tu hermano. Let’s go to your brother’s house.
Está a la izquierda. It’s on the left.
La celebración empieza a medianoche. The celebration starts at midnight.
Italian English
Abita a Washington. He lives in Washington.
Penso a te. I’m thinking about/of you.
Lui e all’aeroporto. He’s at the airport.
German English
Er wohnt auf der New Jersey Avenue. He lives on New Jersey Avenue.
Er ist auf dem Flughafen. He is at the airport.
Ich denke an dich. I’m thinking about/of you.
Werfen Sie es an den Abfall. Throw it in the trash.
• Many preposition words can also be adverbs or conjunctions.
Examples:
the preposition down She walked down the hill.
the adverb down He put the book down.
the preposition after She took a nap after lunch.
the conjunction after She went outside after she put the book down.
• Many prepositions can indicate more than one meaning or relationship.
Examples with after:
later than We rested after lunch.
in pursuit of The cat is after the mouse.
because of He was angry after the way she acted.
in the style of
continuously
This is a painting after Picasso. She worked night after
night.
• Two or more prepositions can have the same meaning. Sometimes these
prepositions are interchangeable.
Examples:
She is disappointed in her new job.
She is disappointed with her new job.
Sometimes they are not interchangeable.
Examples:
He is fascinated with his new job. (but not in)
He is interested in his new job. (but not with)
He is bored by his new job. (by or with, but not in)
• Many prepositions are also used in expressions where their meaning is entirely
different from any of their predictable meanings. Expressions like this do not
follow any pattern or logic, and do not allow for substitutions. They must be
learned as vocabulary units.
Examples:
It’s about time.
They are never on time.
She got here in time to see the whole show.
• A preposition in combination with another word may have multiple meanings.
Example:
make up your bed -arrange
make up your face -paint
make up your mind -decide
make up a story -invent
make up a list -write down
make up the difference -equalize
make up last week’s homework -do overdue work
make up for lost time -compensate
make up with your girlfriend -reestablish a relationship
• Different prepositions can follow the same verb to change its meaning
completely.
Example:
break down -collapse
break in -enter by force
break off -remove
break out -erupt
break out of -leave by force
break through -establish a successful idea
break up -end a relationship
• New preposition combinations continue to become part of the language.
The following examples are relatively new:
boot up -restart a computer
key in -type text on the computer
log on -connect to the Internet
act out -misbehave (traditionally act up)
change out -replace with
swap out -replace with
scope out -make a survey of
listen up -pay attention
• Preposition words are sometimes “made into” other parts of speech.
Examples:
prepositions as nouns I want to learn the ins and outs of prepositions.
prepositions as
adjectives
The hospital has only a few in patients. There is a down sid
to his idea.
prepositions as verbs I heard they were upping the price.
• There are some regional differences in preposition usage among native speakers.
Examples:
Most of the United States: stand in line New York City: stand on line
Most of the United States: graduate from
high school/college/etc.
Northeastern United States: graduate
high school/college/etc.
As if all this weren’t enough, English sentence patterns can also be troublesome,
especially when prepositions are involved. The use of articles and pronouns and the
formation of questions, adjective clauses, and noun clauses can be tricky.
Prepositions is designed to take the mystery out of prepositions for those whose first
language is not English. It is a comprehensive handbook and guide that explains in
detail the sixty-one commonly used English prepositions and their usage. It is easy to
read and understand, and easy to use for quick reference or for more serious study.
Part One consists of a unit for each of the prepositions. Each unit includes all of the
predictable definitions of the preposition, with typical grammar patterns, example
sentences, and lists of the verbs and nouns that are most often used for each meaning.
Idiomatic expressions and phrasal verbs are also defined and illustrated with
examples. 
Part Two provides charts and diagrams that illustrate and compare the functional
usage of different prepositions. Each unit includes exercises and answers that will
help the reader remember the guidelines.
Part Three gives formulas and examples that describe the use of prepositions before
pronouns and verbs, in adjective and noun clauses, and in questions. Exercises at the
end of each unit provide practice with these patterns.
Part Four is an exploration of phrasal verbs—idiomatic combinations that consist of a
verb + a preposition—and of all the different ways these combinations can be used.
Exercises follow each unit.
Part Five details cases where prepositions have merged with—and become prefixes to
—certain nouns, adjectives, and verbs, giving them more specific meanings. In the
appendices you will find answers to the exercises as well as a glossary for reference.
This glossary is an alphabetical list of over 3,800 common adjectives, nouns, and
verbs with the prepositions that normally precede and/or follow them, with the
preposition name and section number of the text where the expression can be found,
for further explanation of its meaning and use in a sentence.
To the Teacher
This book is designed to be used as a reference, rather than a textbook to be followed
unit by unit. It is adaptable for use with students of every level of proficiency—from
beginners to those who are quite advanced and are seeking perfection. You are
encouraged to pick and choose the units that best fit your particular classes—and
order them in a way that works with your own approach and teaching plan. Exercises
are included in every part of the book, but you may wish to devise your own instead,
or supplement these with types that you know work for your students. Emphasize to
your students that proficiency is best achieved through practice of correct usage, both
oral and written, and that repeating the exercises can help them internalize preposition
usage so that they will feel confident in speaking and writing.
There are explicit instructions throughout that are meant to help students improve
proficiency in using prepositions and to get over occasional plateaus, where they feel
they are not progressing. When they begin to see the patterns—and follow those
patterns—soon they will be using prepositions naturally and will confidently move on
to greater proficiency.
To the Student
No matter what your level of English is, use this book to become more familiar with
the patterns of English sentences. Train your ear to hear prepositions in conversations,
and your eye to see them when you read. Ask yourself if you know the underlying
meaning of each one. By all means, add new words you hear to the lists in the
sections where they belong, and write down new expressions and phrasal verbs as
you come across them. Mastering English prepositions is a challenge, but a valuable
skill that will enhance your understanding and help you express yourself with
confidence.
Following are some specific suggestions:
1. Read the introduction at the beginning of the book.
2. If you are a beginning student of English, begin with Part Two.
3. If you are more advanced, begin with Part One, Part Two, Part Three, or Part Four.
You decide.
4. Do the exercises that follow each unit.
5. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper, not in the book.
6. Check your answers with the Answer Key on p. 299.
7. If you have mistakes, write the correct answers down, and make sure you
understand them. Repeat the exercises until you have no mistakes.
8. Repeat the exercises at different times in the future. This will help you memorize
hundreds of expressions, correct usage, and perfect word order.
How to Use Part One
1. Each preposition is described the following ways:
- by its basic meaning
This is usually a meaning that can be demonstrated and contrasted with
the meanings of other prepositions.
- by its inclusion in common expressions
Many expressions include prepositions that do not carry their basic
meaning. The preposition is invariable—it cannot be replaced with a
different one. Each expression should be learned as a single unit.
- by its use as a phrasal verb
A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and a preposition that changes
the meaning of the verb. The preposition does not carry its basic meaning.
This combination should be considered as a single verb unit that has a
unique definition.
2. Each definition of a preposition is followed by one or more patterns, which
indicate the word order appropriate for the definition.
The verbs in each pattern can be changed to other tenses.
Example:
Pattern verb + toward + noun
The money goes toward helping the family.
This could also be:
The money went toward helping the family.
The money will go toward helping the family.
The money is going to go toward helping the family.
When a word cannot be substituted, that word is included in the pattern.
Example:
Pattern be + after + noun
The reception is after the wedding.
be is the only possible verb for this pattern.
When a word is optional, it is in parentheses.
Example:
Pattern be + outside (of) + noun
The dog is outside the house.
The dog is outside of the house.
When the word noun is in the pattern, use the normal patterns for noun usage,
as outlined in Part Three.
Example:
Pattern verb + against + noun
Dr. Jones is against the idea.
This could also be:
Dr. Jones is against my idea.
Dr. Jones is against this idea.
Dr. Jones is against our ideas.
Dr. Jones is against some of their ideas.
When the noun determiner cannot be substituted, it is included in the pattern.
Example:
Pattern verb + against + the + noun
We sailed against the wind for an hour.
(the cannot be replaced by a, this, my, or any other word)
When the word one’s is in the pattern, it can be replaced by any possessive
adjective (my, your, his, her, its, our, their)
Example:
Pattern to + one’s + noun
Someone will come to your aid.
Someone will come to his aid.
Someone will come to our aid.
When no noun determiner is used, the symbol ø is in the pattern. The symbol ø
means no normally acceptable or grammatically necessary word, such as the, is
used in the expression, as in to school or at home or in class.
Example:
Pattern verb + against + ø + noun
I drive against traffic every morning.
The typical verbs, nouns, and adjectives listed with each pattern are the most
common words that are used with the preposition. It is a good idea to think of
the combinations as units. As an exercise, you may wish to write sentences
with the suggested words, following the pattern and keeping the meaning of the
combination in mind.
UNIT 1:
About
Basic Meaning
1. About identifies a topic.
Pattern 1 noun + be + about + noun
This book is about prepositions.
Nouns commonly used before about:
argument, article, book, conversation, disagreement, discussion, joke, lecture,
movie, news, play, program, report, speech, story
Pattern 2 noun + about + noun
She gave me advice about my loan.
Nouns commonly used before about:
assurance, comment, complaint, gossip, lie, question, statement, truth
Pattern 3 verb + about + noun
He often talks about his job.
Verbs commonly used before about:
agree, argue, brag, care, complain, cry, do, dream, forget, groan, hear, joke,
know, laugh, lie, moan, pray, read, say, scream, sing, talk, think, wonder,
worry, yell
Related Expressions
to see about
• to delay a decision until more information is known
We want to buy a house, but we will see about that later.
• to get information about
I called that office to see about getting a job there.
to find out about to get information about
She called the school to find out about her daughter’s behavior.
Pattern 4 verb + noun + about
She knows something about airplanes.
Typical verbs used with this pattern:
ask, find out, know, learn, say
Typical nouns used before about:
a little, a lot, nothing, quite a bit, something, very little
Pattern 5 verb + indirect object + about + noun
They asked me about my trip.
Verbs commonly used with this pattern:
advise, ask, bother, contact, harass, inform, question, remind, teach, tell,
write, warn
Pattern 6 adjective + about + noun
They were very kind about our late arrival.
Adjectives commonly used before about:
charming, kind, nasty, nice, mean, rude, sweet, understanding, unkind
2. About can identify the cause of an emotion or condition.
Pattern adjective + about + noun
We are excited about our vacation.
Adjectives commonly used before about:
angry, anxious, bashful, concerned, confused, crazy, excited, glad, happy,
mad, nervous, objective, optimistic, pessimistic, right, sick, silly, unhappy,
upset, worried
3. About can mean approximately.
Pattern about + number
It is about nine o’clock.
We have about ten dollars each.
4. About can mean in all parts of.
Pattern 1 be + noun + about + noun
There is a lot of excitement about town.
Pattern 2 past participle of verb + about + noun
Papers were scattered about the house.
Typical past participles used before about:
scattered, sprinkled, strewn, thrown
5. About can describe a noun.
Pattern something/nothing + (adjective) + about + noun
There is something about her that I like.
There is something adorable about her.
There is nothing nice about that.
Adjectives commonly used before about:
adorable, attractive, bad, cute, exotic, fascinating, familiar, fishy, funny, good,
interesting, nice, peculiar, special, strange, unusual, weird, wonderful
6. About can mean in all directions.
Pattern 1 motion verb + about + noun
We wandered about town for a few hours.
Pattern 2 motion verb + about (adverb)
The baby crawls about the house.
Verbs commonly used with these patterns:
crawl, go, jump, look, move, poke, run, walk, wander
7. About (adverb) can mean almost.
Pattern be + about + adjective
She is about ready.
Adjectives commonly used after about:
complete, done, finished, perfect, ready, right, through
Expressions
about + infinitive ready to
The show is about to begin.
to be about time an expression of annoyance that a person or thing has arrived
late.
“It’s about time you got here,” said the mother when her daughter came
home late.
to have an air about one to seem uncaring or unfriendly
That new guy has an air about him.
not about (adverb) + infinitive not willing to
I’m not about to sign that agreement.
They’re not about to go home early.
about face
1. (verb) a military command to turn halfway around, and face the opposite
direction
The sergeant ordered, “About face!”
He told his men to about face.
2. (noun) a complete change of opinion
He did an about face when he learned the facts.
Phrasal Verbs
bring about (separable) cause
The storm brought about problems.
The storm brought them about.
come about (intransitive) happen
How did that situation come about?
to get about (intransitive) to be able to walk
He is ninety years old, and he gets about very well.
to find out about (nonseparable) to get information or news about something
When did you find out about the accident?
PRACTICE
1-1. Choose the best word or words for each blank.
1. This _____ is about dogs.
airplane house story car
2. There was a _____ about my report.
complaint traffic accident secretary police officer
3. He always _____ about his problems.
drives runs jokes studies
4. We need to _____ about the law.
try learn work study
5. They _____ us about the accident.
learned finished told arrested
6. Her sister was _____ about my mistake.
crazy unkind silly ridiculous
7. The students are _____ about the field trip.
good bad silly excited
8. I have about _____ in my pocket.
my lesson my keys twenty dollars nothing
9. We are about _____.
learning the trip finished read
10. Her clothes were _____ about the bedroom.
ironed scattered washed bought
1-2. Use an expression with about to express the following:
1. We are not willing to go there.
2. She changed her mind completely.
1-3. Use about in a phrasal verb to express the following:
1. The president’s announcement caused riots in the street.
2. Is your great-grandmother able to walk by herself?
UNIT 2:
Above
Basic Meanings
1. Above can mean in or at a higher place.
Pattern 1 be + above + noun
A dark cloud was above the house.
Pattern 2 verb + noun + above + noun
Let’s hang the picture above the sofa.
Verbs commonly used before above:
arrange, carry, hang, hold, keep, place, put, set
2. Above can mean at a higher level, value, or rank.
Her blood pressure is above normal.
The children in her class are all above average.
In the navy, a captain is above a commander.
3. Above indicates that a person is too good to commit the stated negative
action.
Pattern 1 be + above + noun
The policeman is above cruelty.
Nouns often used after above:
cruelty, dishonesty, meanness, murder, perjury, theft, treason
Pattern 2 be + above + verb in gerund form
He may be poor, but he is above stealing.
Gerunds often used with this meaning:
breaking the law, cheating, gossiping, lying, robbing, snooping, stealing
As other parts of speech:
Above used as an adverb can indicate something written earlier in a book, article,
or other document.
Please see the instructions above.
Above used as an adjective describes something written earlier.
Please follow the above instructions.
Expressions
up above (adverb) in heaven
Our dear grandmother is now in peace up above.
above and beyond the call of duty action that is more or greater than what is
expected of a person
My teacher’s help after school was above and beyond the call of duty.
aboveboard completely honest and open; legal
Our negotiations with the company were aboveboard.
above the law exempt from restrictions of the law
People in power sometimes believe they are above the law.
PRACTICE
2-1. Choose the best word or words for each blank.
1. A beautiful painting was above the _____.
house car tree sofa
2. He wants to _____ the TV above the fireplace.
throw hang carry drop
3. The _____ at our school is above the teacher.
principal assistant teacher student bus driver
4. Our teacher is strict, but she is above _____.
winning cruelty having a party honesty
5. You need to read the above _____.
book newspaper magazine article
2-2. Use an expression with above to express the following:
1. The policeman’s help was extra special.
2. Even the president has to obey the law.
UNIT 3:
Across
Basic Meanings
1. Across indicates the direction of movement from one side of an area to
the other.
Pattern motion verb + across + noun
The girl ran across the yard.
Verbs often used before across:
crawl, drive, go, limp, move, ride, run, swim, walk
2. Across can mean on the other side of a place.
Pattern verb + across + noun
My friend lives across the street.
3. Across from means opposite or facing.
Pattern 1 verb + across from + noun
My assistant’s office is across from mine.
My secretary sits across from me.
Pattern 2 verb + across + noun + from + noun
My assistant’s office is across the hall from mine.
4. Across and all across mean in every area of.
People across the world are using the Internet.
There is a heat wave all across the country.
Related Expression
across the board including everyone or everything
Everyone got a raise in salary: there was a wage increase of 3 percent
across the board.
Phrasal Verbs
come across (nonseparable) find something unexpectedly
I came across this old picture of you when I was looking for some
documents.
come across (intransitive) be received by an audience
The banquet speaker was not sure how well he came across.
run across (nonseparable) to find something unexpectedly
I ran across a letter you wrote to me when we were children.
get (something) across to (separable) make something understood
The young girl tried to get it across to her boyfriend that she was not
ready to get married.
PRACTICE
3-1. Choose the best word or words for each blank.
1. Let’s _____ across the lake.
walk ride run swim
2. I can walk to the bank; it’s just across the _____ from my house.
town street country state
3. In our school building, the gym is across from the _____.
library street bank bedroom
4. Wildfires are burning all across the _____.
bank library state gym
3-2. Use an expression with across to express the following:
1. I found this recipe in my mother’s cookbook.
2. Her brother tried to make her understand that she should be quiet.
3. I hope my message is clear to the audience.
UNIT 4:
After
Basic Meanings
1. After means later than or following.
Pattern 1 be + after + noun
The reception is after the wedding ceremony.
Pattern 2 after + gerund form of verb + noun
After finishing your homework, you can watch television.
Used as a conjunction with related meaning:
Pattern 1 after + subject noun + verb
After you finish your homework, you can watch television.
Pattern 2 subject + verb + after + subject + verb
The boss left after I came in.
2. After can mean lower in value or rank.
That school’s athletes placed after ours in the playoffs.
3. After can mean in pursuit of.
Pattern verb + after + noun
The cat ran after the mouse.
Verbs often used before after:
be, come, go, run
4. After can mean because of.
Pattern adjective . . . + after + noun
He was mad at her after her behavior at the party.
Typical nouns used after after:
attitude, behavior, failure, kindness, manners, outburst, reaction, success
5. After can mean in spite of.
Pattern after + verb in gerund form
They never got married, after dating for years.
After reading this article three times, I still don’t understand it.
6. After can mean in the style of.
Pattern noun + after + noun
The school play was a drama after Shakespeare.
7. After can indicate continuously.
Pattern time period + after + same time period
The man waited night after night for his telephone to ring.
Life got harder year after year.
His mother told him time after time to clean up his room.
Nouns often used with this meaning:
day, hour, month, night, time, week, year
Expressions
after all
1. in spite of what happened; nevertheless
Our best player got hurt in the first quarter, but we played hard and won
the game after all.
2. as a justification
Of course I am tired; after all, I have been working for twelve hours.
after all is said and done; eventually
I know you feel bad now, but you will be glad about this after all is said
and done.
after one’s own heart especially appreciated
Her mother always serves us chocolate cake; she is a woman after my
own heart.
Phrasal Verbs
come after (nonseparable) pursue
When I saw him, I ran; but he came after me.
look after (nonseparable) take care of something or somebody
She looks after our baby on weekends.
name after (separable) give a baby the name of someone special
They named the baby after his grandfather.
take after (nonseparable) be similar to an older relative
The baby takes after his father.
PRACTICE
4-1. Choose the best word for each blank.
1. I did my homework after I _____.
read the
instructions
went to sleep graduated finished college
2. My name is last on the list. My name is after _____.
my teacher your name your sister Mary
3. That dog always runs after ____.
the school the school bus morning meetings
4. After _____ Spanish in Mexico for six weeks, she still doesn’t speak it.
studies studied studying was studying
5. She works day after _____ in order to pay her bills.
year month hour day
4-2. Use an expression with after to express the following:
1. This course is very difficult, but when we are finished, we will be happy.
2. Even though David didn’t study for the test, he got a good grade.
4-3. Use after in a phrasal verb to express the following:
1. She looks a lot like her dad.
2. The baby’s name is Susan. Her grandmother’s name is Susan.
3. The babysitter takes care of the children on Thursday afternoons.
UNIT 5:
Against
Basic Meanings
1. Against means touching something or somebody for support.
Pattern 1 verb + against + noun
The man was leaning against his car.
Typical verbs used before against:
hang, lean, lie, rest, sleep
Pattern 2 verb + noun + against + noun
They held the mirror against the wall.
Typical verbs used before against:
butt, hold, keep, lay, lean, place, pull, put, rest, set
2. Against means touching forcibly.
Pattern noun + verb + against + noun
The rain beat against the window.
Verbs often used before against:
bang, beat, crash, crush, heave, hit, knock, push, splash, throw, thrust
3. Against means in opposition to.
Pattern noun + verb + against + noun
The mayor was against the idea of a new day-care center.
Stealing is against the law.
Our senator voted against that bill.
Typical verbs used before against:
act, argue, campaign, debate, fight, go, move, play, vote, work
Nouns often used after against:
action, bill, concept, enemy, force, idea, law, nomination, orders, plan,
precepts, principles, proposal, regulations, religion, rules, suggestion,
teachings, team, wishes
4. Against can mean toward a force in the opposite direction.
Pattern verb + against + the + noun
Sailing was rough yesterday; we sailed against the wind all day.
Typical verbs used before against:
drive, fight, go, move, run, sail, struggle, swim, walk
Nouns often used after against:
current, flow, force, tide, wind
5. Against can mean to the disadvantage of.
Pattern noun + be + against + noun
You may not get that job because your age is against you.
Typical nouns before be against:
age, background, height, inexperience, nationality, youth
6. Against can mean in contrast to.
It is hard to see your black necklace against that dark dress.
7. Against can mean in defense of.
Pattern verb + noun + against + noun
They vaccinated the children against whooping cough.
Their heavy coats protect them against the cold.
Typical