How the tool is marked
How do we show what was used to do something?
Betekenis
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.
Zo herken je het
Look for the word, ending, or position that links an action to what is used to do it.
In de taal die je leert
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.
Learners whose language uses the same word or ending for tools and transport may mix up with and by. Learners whose language does not use -ing forms after prepositions may write by press instead of by pressing.