Prepositionary
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DABBLE

Although talented, the artist merely dabbled at painting.

Dabbling in social work doesn’t bring satisfaction.

Why do you dabble with something that is none of your business?

DAMAGE (N)

The damage by the hurricane is hard to compute.

The damage is just from years of neglect.

The damage in the downtown is beyond repair.

“China alone, by burning its dirty coal, and making polluting refrigerators, could torpedo everybody else’s efforts to stop the build-up of atmospheric carbon and damage to the ozone layer.” (The Economist)

DAMN

He was damned by the evidence.

The critic damned the author’s new book with faint praise.

She was damning the politicians without knowing the facts.

“The system as it stands conspires against the mothers among the poor: they are damned, if they stay, as parasites; they are damned, if they go to work, for neglecting their children.” (Pierre Berton, The Smug Minority)

DAMPEN

His ardor was dampened (i.e. diminished) by her indifference.

She was dampening (i.e. moistening) the leaves of the plant with a wet cloth.

DANCE (VV)

The boy sent a stone dancing (i.e. skipping) over the water.

The firelight was dancing (i.e. reflected) on the wood panelling.

The mother danced (i.e. bounced) her child up and down on her knee.

note: As for all VVs, this versatile verb can be followed by a variety of prepositions, whichever best describes the action that follows.

DANGER

“The average Amrican household is in more danger from chemical germ-killers than from germs.” ( Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancey, Fear fully and Wonderfully Made)

There’s always danger in taking your enemy too lightly.

The danger of an explosion dogged his steps.

The danger to me was palpable.

DANGEROUS

“Vance Packard believes . . that the excessive concentration of wealth among a cadre of megamillionaires . . is dangerous to the good health of capitalism.” (John Elson, Time mag.)

DANGLE

The prospect of great wealth is dangling (i.e. hovering) before his eyes.

Expensive jewelry dangled (i.e. swung to and fro) from her ears.

DASH (VV)

They dashed (i.e. sprinted) through the picnic crowd, upsetting tables.

She dashed (i.e. darted) under the bridge, when it began raining in earnest.

note: As for all VVs, this versatile verb can be followed by a variety of prepositions, whichever best describes the action that follows.

DATE (V)

“Carved jade pieces dating from (i.e. having their origin in) China’s new stone age (3000 B.C.) . . are so fine as to require the use of a magnifying glass to be seen properly.” (The Economist mag.)

“It was Dionysius who invented the method of dating (i.e. setting the date) we still use in the West, that is from the birth of Christ.” (Paul Johnson, A History of Christianity)

This fossil dates back to (i.e. originated in) the Pre- Cambrian period.

DABBLE

Although talented, the artist merely dabbled at painting.

Dabbling in social work doesn’t bring satisfaction.

Why do you dabble with something that is none of your business?

DAMAGE (N)

The damage by the hurricane is hard to compute.

The damage is just from years of neglect.

The damage in the downtown is beyond repair.

“China alone, by burning its dirty coal, and making polluting refrigerators, could torpedo everybody else’s efforts to stop the build-up of atmospheric carbon and damage to the ozone layer.” (The Economist)

DAMN

He was damned by the evidence.

The critic damned the author’s new book with faint praise.

She was damning the politicians without knowing the facts.

“The system as it stands conspires against the mothers among the poor: they are damned, if they stay, as parasites; they are damned, if they go to work, for neglecting their children.” (Pierre Berton, The Smug Minority)

DAMPEN

His ardor was dampened (i.e. diminished) by her indifference.

She was dampening (i.e. moistening) the leaves of the plant with a wet cloth.

DANCE (VV)

The boy sent a stone dancing (i.e. skipping) over the water.

The firelight was dancing (i.e. reflected) on the wood panelling.

The mother danced (i.e. bounced) her child up and down on her knee.

note: As for all VVs, this versatile verb can be followed by a variety of prepositions, whichever best describes the action that follows.

DANGER

“The average Amrican household is in more danger from chemical germ-killers than from germs.” ( Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancey, Fear fully and Wonderfully Made)

There’s always danger in taking your enemy too lightly.

The danger of an explosion dogged his steps.

The danger to me was palpable.

DANGEROUS

“Vance Packard believes . . that the excessive concentration of wealth among a cadre of megamillionaires . . is dangerous to the good health of capitalism.” (John Elson, Time mag.)

DANGLE

The prospect of great wealth is dangling (i.e. hovering) before his eyes.

Expensive jewelry dangled (i.e. swung to and fro) from her ears.

DASH (VV)

They dashed (i.e. sprinted) through the picnic crowd, upsetting tables.

She dashed (i.e. darted) under the bridge, when it began raining in earnest.

note: As for all VVs, this versatile verb can be followed by a variety of prepositions, whichever best describes the action that follows.

DATE (V)

“Carved jade pieces dating from (i.e. having their origin in) China’s new stone age (3000 B.C.) . . are so fine as to require the use of a magnifying glass to be seen properly.” (The Economist mag.)

“It was Dionysius who invented the method of dating (i.e. setting the date) we still use in the West, that is from the birth of Christ.” (Paul Johnson, A History of Christianity)

This fossil dates back to (i.e. originated in) the Pre- Cambrian period.

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