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Prepositions after verbs

Using cut with different prepositions

Cut changes meaning depending on the preposition that follows. Some combinations are phrasal verbs, while others describe direction or result.

Quick answer

Common meanings of cut combinations

Cut off means remove or disconnect. Cut into means divide or reduce. Cut through means pass through something. Cut in often means interrupt or join suddenly. Cut to can mean move directly to a scene or topic.

cut off the electricity.
cut into small pieces.
cut through the forest.
cut to the main point.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
cut off + thing

Remove or disconnect something

Cut off often means separate, stop, or disconnect.

The storm cut off power across the region.
She cut off her hair before the trip.
2
cut into + parts or surface

Divide, penetrate, or reduce

Cut into can mean divide something or reduce resources such as profits or time.

He cut the cake into slices.
Rising costs cut into our profits.
3
cut through + obstacle or area

Move through something by cutting

Cut through often describes passing through an area or obstacle directly.

The path cuts through the valley.
Rescue workers cut through the metal door.
4
cut in

Interrupt or join suddenly

Cut in can mean interrupt a conversation or move into a line of traffic.

He kept trying to cut in during the discussion.
A motorcycle cut in ahead of us.
5
cut to + topic or scene

Move directly to something important

Cut to is common in conversation, film directions, and editing.

Cut to the conclusion and skip the details.
The film cuts to a hospital scene after the explosion.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
cut off
They cut off the water supply.
Disconnect or remove completely.
cut into
The repairs cut into our budget.
Reduce or divide something.
cut through
We cut through the park to save time.
Move directly across or through an area.
cut in
She cut in while I was speaking.
Interrupt or enter suddenly.
cut to
The presenter cut to the main issue.
Move quickly to the important point or next scene.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Confusing cut off and cut out

Cut off means disconnect or separate; cut out often means remove from inside or stop doing something.

✕ They cut out the electricity. ✓ They cut off the electricity.

Using cut into for movement across an area

Use cut through for passing across an area.

✕ We cut into the forest to reach the lake. ✓ We cut through the forest to reach the lake.

Adding an object after cut in incorrectly

Cut in often works without a direct object when meaning interrupt.

✕ He cut in me during the meeting. ✓ He cut in during the meeting.

Using cut to for physical cutting

Cut to usually means move directly to a topic or scene.

✕ She cut the bread to pieces. ✓ She cut the bread into pieces.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The editor decided to ___ the final scene immediately.
2. The new taxes will ___ company profits.
3. Heavy snow ___ the village from the main road.

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Frequently asked questions

What does cut off mean?

It usually means disconnect, separate, or stop access to something.

What is the difference between cut into and cut through?

Cut into often means divide or reduce, while cut through means pass across or penetrate an obstacle.

Can cut in mean interrupt?

Yes. In conversation, cut in means interrupt someone who is speaking.

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