How the tool is marked
How do we show what was used to do something?
Meaning
Marking a tool shows what someone uses to carry out an action. This can be a physical object, a way of traveling, or a way of sending a message. Languages may use words, endings, or word order; some have no separate marker for this link. Tool or means identifies the role, while How the tool is marked looks at how a language shows that role.
How to spot it
Look for the word, ending, or position that links an action to what is used to do it.
In your native language
English commonly uses with before the name of a tool, as in with a key. It uses by in many transport and communication expressions, such as by bus and by email. By followed by a verb form ending in -ing can show a method, as in by pressing a button.
I cut the paper with scissors.
With introduces the tool used for the action.
We usually go to work by bus.
By bus names the means of transport and has no article.
You can open this box by pressing the button.
By followed by an -ing form shows how to do something.
In your learning language
Spanish normally marks a physical tool with con before the noun. Means of transportation commonly use en, although some expressions have a different form, such as a pie for walking. A channel for sending something commonly uses por, as in por correo electrónico.
Corté el pan con un cuchillo.
I cut the bread with a knife.
Mañana iremos en tren.
Tomorrow we'll go by train.
Te envío el documento por correo electrónico.
I'm sending you the document by email.
Learners whose language uses the same ending or word for tools and transportation may extend con to vehicles, producing *con tren instead of en tren. The Spanish marker depends on the kind of means being described.