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Hello, everyone.The following sentences are from an article about an elephant which can draw a picture. Would you read them and teach me about my question?It took about five months for the elephant to paint a flower 1)with a stem and leaves. In 2007, she painted her self-portrait 2) with a paintbrush.At first I read two sentences and I thought she had drawn a flower using a stem and leaves. I think it was because the second sentece attract me to do. But after reading them several times I realized I was wrong. The first 'with' seems to mean "having". Do you have a means of grammatical sign to distinguish them? Or is it depend on contexts?Many thanks in advance.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

youngbuts The first 'with' seems to mean "having".

Yes.

youngbutsDo you have a means of grammatical sign to distinguish them?

No. The word has a number of definitions which you will have to learn:

with (preposition)

1.
accompanied by; accompanying: I will go with you. He fought with his brother against the enemy.
2.
in some particular relation to (especially implying interaction, company, association, conjunction, or connection): I dealt with the problem. She agreed with me.
3.
characterized by or having: a person with initiative.
4.
(of means or instrument) by the use of; using: to line a coat with silk; to cut with a knife.
5.
(of manner) using or showing: to work with diligence.
6.
in correspondence, comparison, or proportion to: Their power increased with their number. How does their plan compare with ours?
7.
in regard to: to be pleased with a gift.
8.
(of cause) owing to: to die with pneumonia; to pale with fear.
9.
in the region, sphere, or view of: It is day with us while it is night with the Chinese.
10.
(of separation) from: to part with a thing.
11.
against, as in opposition or competition: He fought with his brother over the inheritance.
12.
in the keeping or service of: to leave something with a friend.
13.
in affecting the judgment, estimation, or consideration of: Her argument carried a lot of weight with the trustees.
14.
at the same time as or immediately after; upon: And with that last remark, she turned and left.
15.
of the same opinion or conviction as: Are you with me or against me?
16.
in proximity to or in the same household as: He lives with his parents.
17.
(used as a function word to specify an additional circumstance or condition): We climbed the hill, with Jeff following behind.

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