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Prepositions after verbs

Wipe off, out, from, with or at?

Different prepositions change the meaning of 'wipe'. Some combinations are phrasal verbs, while others introduce tools, places, or repeated actions.

Quick answer

Common uses of 'wipe'

Use 'wipe off' to remove something from a surface and 'wipe out' to destroy or erase. Use 'from' for the surface affected and 'with' for the tool or material. 'Wipe at' suggests repeated touching or rubbing.

Please wipe off the table.
The files were wiped out in the crash.
She wiped the dust from the shelf.
He wiped at his eyes.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
wipe off + surface/object

Removing something from a surface

Use 'wipe off' when cleaning or removing dirt or marks.

She wiped off the counter.
2
wipe out + thing

Destroying or completely removing

'Wipe out' can mean destroy, eliminate, or erase.

The storm wiped out several roads.
3
wipe + object + from + surface

Showing where something is removed from

Use 'from' for the surface or source.

He wiped grease from his hands.
4
wipe + object + with + tool

Naming the cloth or material used

Use 'with' for the instrument or substance.

She wiped the screen with a soft cloth.
5
wipe at + body part/object

Describing repeated or light wiping

'Wipe at' often suggests repeated attempts or emotional gestures.

He wiped at his face nervously.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
wipe off
Please wipe off your shoes.
Remove dirt or moisture from a surface.
wipe out
The update wiped out the data.
Erase or destroy completely.
wipe from
She wiped the fingerprints from the glass.
Shows the source surface.
wipe with
He wiped the table with a towel.
Shows the tool or material used.
wipe at
She wiped at her tears.
Suggests repeated or incomplete wiping.

Common mistakes

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

Mixing up 'off' and 'out'

'Off' removes from a surface; 'out' means erase or destroy.

✕ The virus wiped off all the files. ✓ The virus wiped out all the files.

Leaving out 'from'

Use 'from' to show the surface or source.

✕ She wiped dust the shelf. ✓ She wiped dust from the shelf.

Using 'at' for complete cleaning

'Wipe at' suggests repeated touching, not complete removal.

✕ He wiped at the table after dinner. ✓ He wiped the table after dinner.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Please wipe ___ the kitchen counter.
2. The fire wiped ___ the old building.
3. She wiped the screen ___ a dry cloth.

Check your sentence in context

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between 'wipe off' and 'wipe out'?

'Wipe off' means clean or remove from a surface. 'Wipe out' means destroy or erase completely.

When do we use 'wipe at'?

Use it for repeated or light wiping actions, often emotional or incomplete.

Can 'wipe' be followed by 'with'?

Yes. 'With' introduces the cloth, tool, or material used for wiping.

wade, through, wade, into wait for, in, on, at or till? wake up, from, in, at or by? walk into, in, to, through or on? wander through, around, into, in or from? "want for", "want from" or "want in"? "warn of" or "warn against"? "wash with", "wash in" or "wash over"? "waste on" or "waste in"? watch for, in, on, from or with? "wave at" or "wave to"? "weaken by", "weaken to" or "weaken of"?

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