What Does โTrust sb with sthโ Mean?
โTrust sb with sthโ means to believe that someone will take care of or handle something important or valuable responsibly.
Introduction
The phrase Trust sb with sth is a common phrasal verb used in everyday English. It shows confidence in someone by giving them responsibility for an object, task, or secret. Understanding the Trust sb with sth meaning helps learners express reliance and faith in others clearly. You might say, โI trust her with my keys,โ meaning you believe she will keep them safe. This phrase is useful in both personal and professional contexts, making it important for English learners to master.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Trust somebody with something
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To believe someone will take care of or handle something important
Structure (Grammar Rules)
The phrasal verb โTrust sb with sthโ is inseparable. This means the object (usually a person) and the preposition โwithโ cannot be separated.
Basic pattern:
- Trust + somebody + with + something
For example:
- I trust her with my car.
- She trusts him with her secrets.
How to Use Trust sb with sth?
Use this phrase when you want to say that you believe someone will be careful and responsible with something valuable or private. It often relates to possessions, responsibilities, or confidential information.
You can use it in different tenses, for example:
- Present: I trust him with my phone.
- Past: She trusted me with her address.
- Future: Will you trust me with your laptop?
Examples
Here are some natural sentences using Trust sb with sth in a sentence:
- I trust my brother with my house keys because he is very responsible.
- She trusts her assistant with important documents.
- Can I trust you with my phone while Iโm swimming?
- They trusted the teacher with their children during the trip.
- He trusted his friend with a secret that no one else knew.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse the order or the preposition. Here are some common errors:
- Incorrect: I trust with him my car.
- Correct: I trust him with my car.
- Incorrect: She trusts her secrets to him.
- Correct: She trusts him with her secrets.
Remember, โwithโ always comes after the person you trust.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include:
- Entrust sb with sth: This is a more formal way to say โtrust sb with sthโ and means giving someone responsibility.
- Leave sth with sb: Means to give something to someone for safekeeping but doesnโt always imply trust.
While โentrustโ focuses on responsibility, โtrust sb with sthโ highlights belief in someoneโs reliability.
Common Collocations
People often use โTrust sb with sthโ with certain objects or ideas. Here are common collocations and what they mean:
- Trust someone with your keys: Believe they will keep your keys safe.
- Trust someone with a secret: Believe they will not tell others.
- Trust someone with money: Believe they will manage your money carefully.
- Trust someone with a task: Believe they will complete the job well.
- Trust someone with your children: Believe they will take good care of your kids.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of trust sb with sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using โTrust sb with sthโ:
Anna: Can I trust you with my laptop while Iโm out?
Ben: Of course! Iโll keep it safe.
Anna: Thanks, I know youโre responsible.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of โtrust sb with sthโ:
- I __________ (trust) my sister __________ my car.
- She __________ (trust) him __________ her secrets.
- Will you __________ me __________ your keys?
FAQ
- Q: Can I use โtrust sb with sthโ in the past tense?
A: Yes, for example, โI trusted him with my phone yesterday.โ - Q: Is โtrust sb with sthโ separable?
A: No, the phrase is inseparable. โWithโ always follows the person. - Q: Can โtrust sb with sthโ be used for secrets?
A: Yes, it is commonly used for personal secrets. - Q: What level of English is โtrust sb with sthโ?
A: It is usually taught at intermediate (B1) level. - Q: What is the difference between โtrustโ and โentrustโ?
A: โEntrustโ is more formal and focuses on giving responsibility, while โtrustโ means having confidence in someone.
