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Anonymous Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

in or with ?

This question is from a toeic prep book. A photo question : A lady is working at her desk in front of her computer. There are post-it notes all over her work area-- on her computer screen, on the walls, and on her desk.

Correct description, according to the book, is "The woman's work area is covered in post-it notes."

Why not using " is covered with " instead of " is covered in" ??
Isn't " covered with " is more common than" covered in" ??
  

Top answer

Hi, This question is from a toeic prep book. A photo question : A lady is working at her desk in front of her computer. There are post-it notes all over her work area-- on her computer screen, on the walls, and on her desk.

  • Hi, This question is from a toeic prep book.
  • A photo question : A lady is working at her desk in front of her computer.
  • There are post-it notes all over her work area-- on her computer screen, on the walls, and on her desk.
  • " Why not using " is covered with " instead of " is covered in" ??
  • Both are fine, and they are often interchanged.
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5 Answers
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Hi,

This question is from a toeic prep book. A photo question : A lady is working at her desk in front of her computer. There are post-it notes all over her work area-- on her computer screen, on the walls, and on her desk.

Correct description, according to the book, is "The woman's work area is covered in post-it notes."

Why not using " is covered with " instead of
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Thak you for your replay. BTW, what do you mean by "'Covered in' - Sometimes suggests more complete coverage. Sometimes suggests the coverage was less intentional, more accidental." ??

Could you give me a little more samples or explanation towards this above comments? If it is more complete coverage, how can it be both less intentioanl and more acidental? I would say if it is less intent
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Hi,

eg I tripped and fell into a deep ditch. When I got out, I was covered in mud. My friends couldn't even recognize me.
The coverage was pretty complete. And it was the result of an accident. I didn't intend to cover myself in mud.

eg I could see John had cut his knee, because it was covered with a bandage. John decided to bandage his knee. And it did not cover hi
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HI Clive,
You ,entioned that both in and with are fine, and they are often interchanged.
So in your example : " eg I tripped and fell into a deep ditch. When I got out, I was covered in mud. My friends couldn't even recognize me. "

Can I still use "with" to say " I was covered WITH mud. My friends couldn't even recognize me, " when I am not sure if I should use "if" or "with" ?
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Hi,
Yes.
'In' just makes it sound like you were a bit more completely covered.

Clive

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