Prepositions Part 29
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
Detach from
To remove a piece or part of something that is designed to be removed.
You can detach the hood from the jacket.
Details of
To give all the facts or information about something.
The bank gave no details of the agreement.
Deter from
To persuade someone not to do something, by making them realise it will be difficult or will have unpleasant results.
The program is designed to deter children from experimenting with drugs.
Detract from
To make something seem less good than it really is.
One mistake is not going to detract from your achievement.
Detrimental to
Causing harm or damage.
Smoking is detrimental to health.
Develop from
To grow or gradually change into a larger, stronger, or more advanced state or to make someone or something do this.
In less than ten years it develops from a seed into a fully-grown tree.
Deviate from
To change what you are doing so that you are not following an expected plan, idea, or type of behaviour.
The plane had to deviate from its normal flight path.
Devoid of
To be completely lacking in something.
Ben is devoid of all humour.
Devolve upon
To give work or responsibility to someone at a lower level.
The Governor devolved the choice upon the committee.
Devote to
To use your time or effort in order to do something or to help something or help something be successful.
Susan is devoting all her time and energy to be a successful manager.
Diagnose as
To find out what is wrong with someone or something, especially what illness someone has, by examining them carefully.
Her illness was diagnosed as mumps.
Dictate to
To say words for someone else to write down.
The director is dictating a letter to his Secretary right now.
Die with
To disappear or be finished when someone dies.
Your family name will die with you.
Differ from
To be different from something in some way.
People differ from one another in their choice of political leaders.
Difference between
A way in which two or more people or things are not like each other.
There is a big difference between men and women.
Different from
Not like something or someone else, or not like before.
My daughters are very different from each other.
Differentiate between
To recognise or express the difference between things or people.
It is important to differentiate between fact and fiction.
Difficult to
Hard to do, understand or deal with.
Most young graduates find it difficult to get jobs.
Difficulty in
If you have difficulty in doing something, it is difficult for you to do.
Some children experience difficulty in learning English.
Dilute with
To make a liquid weaker by adding water or another liquid.
Some traders sell diluted fruit juice.
Diminution in
Reduction in the size, number, or amount of something.
There is no diminution in the value of gold.