[General] with, in or by

[vil]

Dear teachers

Would you be kind enough to explain to me the criterion for apt choice of the proper preposition in the following sentences?

The box is covered with iron.

The furniture was covered in chintz.

In the corner stood a statue covered by a white sheet.

Thank you for your efforts.

Regards,

V.

 

[stanislaw.masny]

Dobar vecher vil
I'm not a teacher!
1. I think that a box may be covered with iron. /you mean fixed sheet metal fitting or some decoration made of iron?/
2. "furniture" is plural /only/, so if you need singular, it ought to be "piece or item of furniture" or you may to name it, eg: bed, sofa.
So, I propose: the sofa was covered with a chintz. /not pottery/
3. In the third sentence I would use 'with' too.

I think that some teacher or another person, much better then I, will help you.
If not, fifty percent of something is better than one hundred of nothing.
But, a half true is a whole lie!
Thank you for your question and,
Leka nosh!

 

[sarat_106]

Dear teachers

Would you be kind enough to explain to me the criterion for apt choice of the proper preposition in the following sentences?

The box is covered with iron. The iron is covered/spread over the top of the box. (The relationship of iron with the box is logical)

The furniture was covered in chintz. Chintz surrounds the furniture as a means of decoration. (A spatial relationship)

In the corner stood a statue covered by a white sheet. The white sheet acts as a means of protection. (A temporal relationship)

Thank you for your efforts.

Regards,

V.

Skp