"in" or "with", which one to choose?

[Hugo_Lin]

Hello, dear teachers:

I find English prepositions very hard to grasp. In my mother tongue we don't have so many sophisticated rules regarding preposition.

The following confuses me most:

He sighed in dismay.

She screamed with joy.

Can you tell me what's the difference? And when to use "in", when to use "with"??

Many thanks in advance.

Hugo.

[5jj]

Can you tell me what's the difference? And when to use "in", when to use "with"??

There is no real difference in those sentences.

[billmcd]

Hello, dear teachers:

I find English prepositions very hard to grasp. In my mother tongue we don't have so many sophisticated rules regarding preposition.

The following confuses me most:


Can you tell me what's the difference? And when to use "in", when to use "with"??

Many thanks in advance.

Hugo.

I can understand your confusion. Some prepositions don't follow established rules when used with certain nouns. You have posted two of those that deal with emotions. "With joy" an "In dismay" typically are found that go together. So, when it comes to exceptions, like the past tense of irregular English verbs, you must, unfortunately, memorize.

[leonardoatt]

The best way to learn the exact and proper usage of prepositions is to experience various kinds of context which in these confusing prepositions are used and concentrate on the verbs more than any words.example:I am happy with that.