in at last vs. at least in

Question

I wonder which word order is grammatically better:

1. The problem can be approached at least in two different ways.
2. The problem can be approached in at least two different ways.
3. The problem can be approached in (at least) two different ways.

I like #1 best. What do you think?

Thanks again.

P.

Huevos · Accepted Answer

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Cool Breeze · Answer

PalinkasocsiThe problem can be approached in at least two different ways.

The preposition (in), which goes with ways, must be placed before everything that modifies the word it goes with. Similar examples:
He used that word in about ten sentences.
That has been discussed in almost a hundred books.
CB

Huevos · Answer

Cool BreezeThe preposition (in), which goes with ways

I saw this as a phrasal use. Is that incorrect?

Cool Breeze · Answer

Huevos
Cool BreezeThe preposition (in), which goes with ways
I saw this as a phrasal use. Is that incorrect?

I have no idea. You said in your previous post that the preposition goes with the verb, and that is incorrect.
CB

Huevos · Answer

Cool BreezeYou said in your previous post that the preposition goes with the verb, and that is incorrect.

"Approached in ways", could you please explain why the preposition goes with the noun, not the verb?

Cool Breeze · Answer

Huevos"Approached in ways", could you please explain why the preposition goes with the noun, not the verb?

In and way go together: Let's do it in this way. In has nothing to do with approach and approach is used as a transitive verb in the sentence. A transitive approach takes a direct object without a preposition:
We were approaching London. Not: We were approaching in London.
The problem must be approached without delay. Not: The problem must be approached in delay.

CB

Huevos · Answer

OK, but is there an argument that demonstrates "in" is somehow connected to "ways".

Cool Breeze · Answer

Huevos OK, but is there an argument that demonstrates "in" is somehow connected to "ways".

Your comments help me understand why some native speakers consider English grammar difficult. What else could in be connected to in the original sentence? In is used with way. In informal style the preposition is sometimes left out:
It can be done in a number of ways.
It can't be done in any other way. (But: It can't be done on any other day.)

"I did it [in] my way."
It is wrong to say: It can be done on a number of ways. It can be done after a number of ways. It can be done to a number of ways, etc.
If a preposition is required by a verb, changing the verb changes the preposition as well - unless, of course, the new verb requires the same preposition. Other changes have no effect on the preposition. Examples:
It can be laughed at. The problem can't be laughed at. His success was laughed at.

It can be thought of/about. The problem can be thought of/about.

It can be looked into. The problem can be looked into.
Approach doesn't require in:
It can be approached in.

(Wrong, at least in Helsinki English!)
CB

Huevos · Answer

Cool BreezeYour comments help me understand why some native speakers consider English grammar difficult.

The truth is if you are from my generation and British you didn't learn grammar at school. For this reason many native English speakers are at a severe disadvantage discusing the grammar of their own language compared with foreigners who have learned it through cognitive process.

in at last vs. at least in

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