- Are you ever unsure whether to say you are “angry with” or “angry at” someone?
- Do you struggle to find the right word to follow “agree” or “disagree” in a professional meeting?
- Would you like to stop translating from your native language and start using “with” like a native speaker?
Mastering collocations with with is a vital step toward English fluency. In English, words don’t exist in isolation; they live in “word partnerships.” Understanding which verbs, adjectives, and nouns naturally pair with “with” helps you reduce language anxiety, improve your writing flow, and sound more natural in both casual and professional settings.
Common Verb + With Collocations
In this category, “with” usually indicates an interaction, an instrument, or a shared state between two subjects.
Communication and Agreement
These collocations are essential for discussions, debates, and negotiations.
- Agree with: To have the same opinion. (e.g., “I entirely agree with your assessment of the situation.”)
- Argue with: To exchange opposite views heatedly. (e.g., “It is pointless to argue with him when he has already made up his mind.”)
- Discuss with: To talk about something with someone. (e.g., “I need to discuss with my manager before I can sign the contract.”)
- Side with: To support one person or group in a dispute. (e.g., “The witnesses tended to side with the defendant.”)
Dealing with Tasks and Problems
These phrases describe how we manage our environment and challenges.
- Cope with: To deal effectively with something difficult. (e.g., “New parents often find it hard to cope with the lack of sleep.”)
- Deal with: To take action on a task or problem. (e.g., “The customer service team will deal with your complaint shortly.”)
- Help with: To assist someone in a task. (e.g., “Could you help with the preparations for the party?”)
- Work with: To collaborate or use a specific tool. (e.g., “I enjoy working with such a creative team.”)
Essential Adjective + With Collocations
When used with adjectives, “with” often describes a person’s emotional state or the physical contents of an object.
Feelings and Reactions
These collocations describe how someone feels toward a person or a situation.
- Angry with: Feeling resentment toward someone. (e.g., “She was angry with herself for making such a silly mistake.”)
- Bored with: Losing interest in something. (e.g., “The students were getting bored with the repetitive exercises.”)
- Happy with: Feeling satisfied. (e.g., “Are you happy with your new apartment?”)
- Pleased with: Feeling pride or satisfaction. (e.g., “The teacher was very pleased with the exam results.”)
Physical States and Proximity
These describe the condition of an object or space.
- Cluttered with: Filled with many untidy items. (e.g., “The desk was cluttered with old papers and coffee mugs.”)
- Crowded with: Containing too many people or things. (e.g., “The streets were crowded with tourists during the festival.”)
- Covered with: Having a layer of something on the surface. (e.g., “The mountains were covered with fresh snow.”)
Common Collocations using With as a Noun Support
While “with” is a preposition, it frequently follows specific nouns to link them to a related object or person.
Relationships and Connections
- Relationship with: The way in which two people or things are connected. (e.g., “She has a great relationship with her siblings.”)
- Difficulty with: A problem or struggle. (e.g., “He is having some difficulty with the new software.”)
- Link with: A connection between two things. (e.g., “Scientists found a clear link with diet and heart health.”)
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Agree with | Verb + Preposition | To share an opinion |
| Familiar with | Adjective + Preposition | To know something well |
| Patience with | Noun + Preposition | Ability to wait or endure |
| Cope with | Verb + Preposition | To manage a difficult situation |
| Satisfied with | Adjective + Preposition | Feeling that something is good enough |
| Conflict with | Noun/Verb + Preposition | A disagreement or clash |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| I am angry at you (sometimes used, but less personal) | I am angry with you. |
| He is married with a doctor. | He is married to a doctor. (Common error!) |
| I agree your opinion. | I agree with your opinion. |
| Are you bored of this movie? | Are you bored with this movie? (UK: bored with/of, US: bored with) |
“To: Project Alpha Team. I am writing because I need to deal with the recent feedback from the client. Although they are generally satisfied with our progress, they have difficulty with the new interface. I agree with their concerns. Please collaborate with the design team to find a solution by Friday.”
Frequently Asked Questions about With Collocations
Is it “angry with” or “angry at”?
In modern English, we typically use angry with for people (e.g., “I’m angry with my brother”) and angry at or about for situations (e.g., “I’m angry at the delay”). However, “angry at” is increasingly common for people in American English.
Can I use “with” after “discuss”?
Yes, but only if you are mentioning the person you are talking to. You say “discuss the problem” (no preposition) or “discuss the problem with someone.” Avoid saying “discuss about the problem.”
What is the difference between “agree with” and “agree to”?
You agree with a person or an idea/opinion. You agree to a proposal, a contract, or an action (e.g., “I agree to the terms”).
Is it “bored with” or “bored of”?
Bored with is the standard collocation in formal writing and American English. “Bored of” is very common in informal British English, but bored with is always the safer, more professional choice.
Why is “married with” considered a mistake?
“Married with” is only used to describe having children (e.g., “He is married with two children”). To describe the legal union between two people, you must always use “married to.”
The section on 'Communication and Agreement' is especially useful for me. I always want to improve my professional English, and these collocations are essential for polite and clear communication.
We're happy to hear that, Olga! These collocations are indeed cornerstones of effective professional communication. Using them correctly not only shows precision but also helps convey your message with greater nuance and respect. Keep up the great work!
This is a great resource. I often find myself explaining to my non-native speaker friends why 'agree with' is correct and not 'agree to' when talking about opinions. The concept of 'shared state' is helpful.
Thank you, David! We're glad you find it useful. That 'shared state' concept is indeed key to understanding many of these collocations. Your efforts in helping your friends are commendable – that kind of peer-to-peer learning is invaluable!
Could you perhaps add a section on collocations with 'with' in less common situations? For example, expressions like 'come up with' or 'deal with' which have a different meaning than simple interaction.
That's an excellent suggestion, Rika! You're right, 'with' appears in many phrasal verbs with distinct meanings. We've focused on direct verb-preposition pairings for this article, but a follow-up piece on phrasal verbs with 'with' would be a valuable addition. Thank you for the idea!
I sometimes say 'I agree you' without 'with' in fast conversation. This is a good reminder to slow down and include that crucial preposition. Thanks!
You've highlighted a very common and understandable mistake, Anya! In the heat of conversation, it's easy to drop small words. Making a conscious effort to include 'with' after 'agree' will significantly improve your fluency and naturalness. Keep practicing!
This makes me think about how many prepositions we use differently in Urdu! It's never a one-to-one translation. This article's approach to 'word partnerships' is exactly what I needed to hear.
That's a fantastic point, Mohammed! The beauty and challenge of English prepositions often lie in their idiomatic nature, which rarely aligns perfectly with other languages. We're glad the 'word partnerships' concept resonates and helps you navigate these differences!
I was confused if 'speak with' is interchangeable with 'speak to'. Is there a nuance? I find 'speak with' less common in UK English, but perhaps I'm wrong.
That's a very insightful observation, Sophie! While both 'speak with' and 'speak to' are generally acceptable, you're right about the nuance. 'Speak to' is more common in both UK and US English when referring to having a conversation with someone. 'Speak with' is often perceived as slightly more formal or implies a more collaborative discussion, and it is indeed more prevalent in American English. Great question!
I'm still a beginner, and sometimes I get overwhelmed. Are there any tricks to remembering all these collocations? Flashcards?
That's a great question, Thiago! Flashcards are definitely a helpful tool. We also recommend creating example sentences for each collocation that are relevant to your own life, reading extensively, and actively listening for these patterns in native speech. Immersion and consistent practice are your best friends!
The example 'I need to discuss with my manager before I can sign the contract' is perfect. In French, we'd use a different construction, so this helps me adjust my thinking to English patterns.
Merci, Chloé! We're glad the example resonated with you. Recognizing these structural differences between languages is a key step in developing an authentic English voice. Keep noticing those patterns!
This article just solved a long-standing mystery for me! I always knew 'argue with' but couldn't articulate why. The 'interaction' explanation is brilliant. Thanks, Translateen!
That's fantastic, Kenji! We love solving linguistic mysteries! Understanding the underlying logic behind these collocations can make a huge difference in internalizing them. Keep up the great work!
Could you give a few more examples for 'side with'? I'm not entirely familiar with that phrase. Is it common in casual conversation or more formal?
Absolutely, Priya! 'Side with' means to support one person or group in an argument or dispute. Examples: 'The teacher always sided with the students.' or 'I didn't want to side with either of them, so I stayed neutral.' It's common in both casual and slightly more formal contexts, usually when discussing conflicts or differing opinions.