Debpriya De Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Use of way
I have two questions regarding the use of the word " way".
[1]
" The only way to tell if you like something is by trying it."
" The only way to tell if you like something is to try it."
The equivalent of 'to try it' should be 'trying it' in the first sentence. Then why do we use
'by trying it'.
[2]
" The way he laughed was strongly reminiscent of his father. "
In this sentence " The way he laughed " acts as a noun phrase.
"The way he was standing , I thought he was ill ."
What is the function of "The way he was standing" in the above sentence.
[1]
" The only way to tell if you like something is by trying it."
" The only way to tell if you like something is to try it."
The equivalent of 'to try it' should be 'trying it' in the first sentence. Then why do we use
'by trying it'.
[2]
" The way he laughed was strongly reminiscent of his father. "
In this sentence " The way he laughed " acts as a noun phrase.
"The way he was standing , I thought he was ill ."
What is the function of "The way he was standing" in the above sentence.
Top answer
You will find various explanations for these. Here are mine. 1.
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0
You will find various explanations for these. Here are mine.
1. Only the -ing form can be used after a preposition, so the preposition by is dropped when the infinitive is used, even though its meaning is still present.
The only way is [by / by means of / through] trying.
The only way is[by / by means of / through] to try.
2
1. Only the -ing form can be used after a preposition, so the preposition by is dropped when the infinitive is used, even though its meaning is still present.
The only way is [by / by means of / through] trying.
The only way is
2
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