Prepositions of manner
450 fill-in-the-gap exercises, 45 tests of ten
They say how. The main choice is between by for a method and with for a tool.
Practice this form
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Getting your first question ready.
by or with
- by answers how did you do it — a method, a process, a means of travel: by train, by email, by hand, by asking
- with answers what did you use — a physical tool: with a hammer, with scissors
He opened it with a knife (the tool) / He opened it by cutting the tape (the method).
Note that by takes no article with transport: by car, by bus, by plane — never by the car.
on foot
The exception. Every vehicle takes by, but walking takes on:
I go by bus, but today I came on foot.
Other fixed on phrases: on purpose, on the phone, on horseback, on tiptoe.
with for feelings
With also introduces the manner in which someone does something:
She handled it with great care. He accepted with obvious pride.
like or as
- like compares: He works like a machine. — he is not one.
- as states a role: She works as a translator. — that is her job.
He speaks like a native means he is not one. He speaks as a native would mean he is.
without
Followed by a noun or an -ing form:
He left without a word. She signed it without reading it.
All forms
| Preposition | Used for | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| by | method, transport, means | by train, by email, by hand, by checking |
| with | the tool or the feeling | with a knife, with great care |
| without | the absence of it | without a word, without asking |
| like | comparison | like a professional |
| in | the way or the medium | in a hurry, in pencil, in silence |
| on | a few fixed phrases | on foot, on purpose, on the phone |
Examples
Taken from the 450 sentences in this drill. The answer is highlighted.
- The mail reaches the lighthouse by helicopter.
- They crossed the field without opening a single gate.
- He trimmed the rope with a very sharp knife.
- The report set out the costs in great detail.
- They reached an agreement through sheer hard work.
- She handled the crisis like a real expert.
- The nurse moved down the ward on tiptoe.
- She went out to the islands as a teacher.
- He found the leak by listening at the wall.
- She took the second job without any hesitation.
- He shortened the strap with a pair of scissors.
- She worked all afternoon in complete silence.
Mistakes to avoid
Wrong: He cut it by a knife. correct: He cut it with a knife.
With takes the instrument. By takes the method.
Wrong: She went by foot. correct: She went on foot.
A fixed phrase: on foot, though every vehicle takes by.
Wrong: He speaks as a native. correct: He speaks like a native.
Like compares. As states what someone actually is.