Prepositions Part 28
Combinations
A preposition is a word placed before a noun or a pronoun to show in what relation the person or thing denoted by it stands in regard to something else. There are over 100 prepositions in English. This is a very small number compared with the vast number of nouns, adjectives and verbs found in English. Here are some of the prepositions used in English
Debate over
Discussion of a particular subject that often continues for a long time and in which people express different opinions.
There has been a wide-spread public debate over the introduction of genetically modified food.
Deceive into
To make someone believe something that is not true.
Sam tried to deceive the public into thinking that the war could still be won.
Decide on
To choose something or someone after thinking carefully.
Have you decided on a date for the wedding?
Decision to
A choice or judgment that you make after a period of discussion or thought.
Susan refused to discuss her firm decision to quit the company.
Deck with
To decorate something with flowers or flags.
The street was decked with flags for the Royal wedding.
Decline in
A decrease in the quality, quantity or importance of something.
There has been a decline in the size of families.
Decrease to
To become less or go down to a lower level.
By 1881, the population of Ireland had decreased to 5.2 million.
Decrease in
The process of becoming less or the amount by which something becomes less.
Will there be a decrease in drug use?
Dedicate to
To give all your attention and effort to one particular thing.
Muriel has dedicated herself to children’s charity work.
Default on
To fail to pay money that you owe at the right time.
Ben defaulted on his child support payments.
Defect to
To leave your own country in order to go to or join an opposing one.
A Russian actor has defected to the West.
Defend against
To do something in order to protect someone or something from being attacked.
We should defend democracy against fascism.
Descend on
If darkness, silence or a feeling descends, it becomes dark or you start to feelsomething, especially suddenly.
Total silence descended on the courtroom after the judgment.
Descent from
Your family origins, especially your nationality or relationship to someone important who lived a long time ago.
The emperor claimed descent from David.
Describe as
To say what something or someone is like by giving details about them.
After the operation his condition was described as comfortable.
Desire for
A strong hope or wish.
Max has a desire for knowledge.
Desist from
To stop doing something.
We hope that the military regime will desist from its acts of violence.
Despair of
To feel that there is no hope at all.
My teachers began to despair of me.
Desperate for
Needing or wanting something very much.
The team is desperate for a win.
Destined for
Seeming certain to happen at some time in the future.
Aurora seemed destined for a successful career.
