"in glasses" vs "with glasses"

[Sitifan]

1. The man in glasses teaches math in my school.
2. The man with glasses teaches math in my school.
What's the difference in meaning between in glasses and with glasses?
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Thank you very much for your reply.

[Mister Micawber]

.
Well, the man with glasses could be just holding them, but in normal use the two meanings are identical.
.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Sitifan]

3. He knows the girl in a red hat.
4. He knows the girl with a red hat.
Are the above sentences both acceptable?
_________________
Thank you very much for your reply.

[Mister Micawber]

.
In what way do you think 3 & 4 differ from 1 & 2, Sitifan?
.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Alan]

Hi Sitifan,

'In a red hat' suggests she is wearing the hat. 'With a red hat' suggests she is carrying it.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Sitifan]

How about glasses?
Does 'in glasses' suggest one is wearing glasses and 'with glasses' suggest one is carrying them?
_________________
Thank you very much for your reply.

[Yankee]

Hi Sitifan

Using "with" could mean either "wearing" or "holding/carrying". However, without any additional context that might affect the interpretation, I would interpret "with" to mean "wearing".
.
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Alan]

Hi Sitifan,

To me 'a man with glasses' sounds a bit quirky on its own -possibly 'with glasses on'. I think I'd either go for 'in glasses' or 'wearing glasses'.

Alan
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms

[Sitifan]

[Luschen]

Whenever I hear "with glasses" I immediately think of this song:
Thanks a lot, now I'll have this in my head all day!