Different usages of most common words

In English grammar, “By” is a very versatile word. It functions mainly as a preposition, sometimes as an adverb, and appears in many fixed expressions. Here are the details.

1. “By” as a Preposition (most common use)

A. Agent / Doer (Passive Voice)

Used to show who or what performs an action.

Examples:

The letter was written by her.
The bridge was built by engineers.

Reference (Oxford Grammar):
“By is used to introduce the agent in passive constructions.”

B. Means / Method / Instrument

Shows how something is done.

Examples:

She travelled by bus.
He paid by cheque.
The room was heated by electricity.

Note:

by + vehicle (by bus, by car)

but in a car / on a bus when focusing on location.

C. Nearness / Position (Beside)

Means near or next to.

Examples :

She was sitting by the window.
A small village by the river.

D. Deadline / Time Limit

Means not later than.

Examples:

Finish the work by Monday.
He must return by 6 p.m.

Difference:

by 6 p.m. → before or at 6

at 6 p.m. → exactly at 6

E. Authorship / Creation

Used for the author or creator.

Examples:

A novel by Shakespeare
A painting by Picasso

F. Standard / Measurement / Amount

Shows the basis of measurement or comparison.

Examples:

Clothes are sold by the kilo.
He missed the prize by two marks.
The room is 10 metres by 12 metres.

G. Manner / Circumstance

Used in fixed expressions.

by chance
by mistake
by hand
by heart

H. Gradual Change

Used with repetition to show progress.

Day by day
Step by step
Bit by bit

2. “By” as an Adverb

Used mainly in informal or literary style.

Examples:

He walked by without speaking.
Time went by quickly.

Here, by = past / past someone.

3. “By” in Phrasal Verbs

pass by – go past
go by – pass (time)
stand by – support / wait
get by – manage

4. Common Errors to Avoid

❌ He came by foot
✅ He came on foot

❌ She is sitting by the bus
✅ She is sitting in the bus

5. Quick Summary

Use of “by” Meaning

Passive agent doer of action

Means method / instrument

Place near-next to

Time deadline

Authorship creator

Measurement difference / unit

Adverb past

Key differences:
compare by / with / through / using

1. BY – method / means / agent

Use:

Shows how something is done

Shows who does an action (passive voice)

Focuses on the process or method, not the tool itself

Examples:

She travelled by bus.

The letter was written by him.

He paid by credit card.

Rule:
By is used when the method or agent is more important than the object used.

2. WITH – tool / instrument

Use:

Shows the physical object or tool used to do something

The focus is on what is used

Examples:

She cut the paper with a knife.

He wrote the letter with a pen.

The thief was hit with a stick.

Rule (Oxford Grammar):
With introduces the instrument directly used to perform an action.

3. USING – deliberate use of something

Use:

Emphasizes intentional or careful use

Often used in formal or technical English

Examples:

He solved the problem using a calculator.

The data was analysed using software.

She unlocked the door using a spare key.

Difference from “with”:

with → general tool

using → conscious, planned use

4. THROUGH – process / medium / cause

Use:

Shows how something happens via a process, system, or experience

Focuses on the route or medium

Examples:

He succeeded through hard work.

The message was sent through email.

She learned English through practice.

Rule:
Through highlights the channel or experience, not the tool.

5. Same Action – Different Meanings

He killed the snake by a stick. ❌ (wrong)
He killed the snake with a stick. ✅
She sent money by online banking. ✅ (method)
She sent money through online banking. ✅ (medium)
The issue was solved by discussion. ✅
The issue was solved through discussion. ✅ (more natural)

6. Exam Tip (Very Important)

Vehicle → by (by bus, by train)

Body movement → on (on foot)

Tool → with / using

Experience or system → through

MCQs

1. The letter was written ___ the manager.

A) with

B) by

C) through

D) using

✅ Answer: B) by

👉 Passive voice → agent

2. She cut the vegetables ___ a sharp knife.

A) by

B) through

C) with

D) using

✅ Answer: C) with

👉 Instrument / tool

3. He travelled ___ train.

A) with

B) on

C) by

D) through

✅ Answer: C) by

👉 Means of transport

4. The problem was solved ___ discussion.

A) with

B) by

C) using

D) on

✅ Answer: B) by

👉 Method

5. She unlocked the door ___ a spare key.

A) by

B) with

C) through

D) on

✅ Answer: B) with

👉 Direct physical tool

6. He achieved success ___ hard work.

A) by

B) with

C) through

D) using

✅ Answer: C) through

👉 Process / cause

7. The data was analysed ___ advanced software.

A) with

B) by

C) through

D) using

✅ Answer: D) using

👉 Deliberate, technical usage

8. She paid the bill ___ credit card.

A) with

B) by

C) on

D) through

✅ Answer: B) by

👉 Method of payment

9. He walked ___ without saying a word.

A) with

B) by

C) through

D) using

✅ Answer: B) by

👉 “By” as an adverb (past)

10. The message was sent ___ email.

A) by

B) with

C) through

D) using

✅ Answer: C) through

👉 Medium / channel

Error Spotting

👉 Directions: Each sentence has one error. Identify the incorrect part and choose the correct option.

He cut the paper (A) by (B) a knife (C) carefully (D).

❌ Error: (B) by

✅ Correction: with

✔ He cut the paper with a knife carefully.

She came (A) by (B) foot (C) yesterday (D).

❌ Error: (B) by

✅ Correction: on

✔ She came on foot yesterday.

The letter was written (A) with (B) him (C) last night (D).

❌ Error: (B) with

✅ Correction: by

✔ The letter was written by him last night.

He succeeded (A) by (B) hard work (C) and discipline (D).

❌ Error: (B) by

✅ Correction: through

✔ He succeeded through hard work and discipline.

The data was analysed (A) by (B) advanced software (C) yesterday (D).

❌ Error: (B) by

✅ Correction: using

✔ The data was analysed using advanced software yesterday.

She paid the bill (A) through (B) cash (C) at the counter (D).

❌ Error: (B) through

✅ Correction: in / by

✔ She paid the bill in cash / by cash

(“in cash” is more natural)

The message was sent (A) with (B) email (C) to all staff (D).

❌ Error: (B) with

✅ Correction: through / by

✔ The message was sent through email.

He opened the lock (A) by (B) a duplicate key (C) easily (D).

❌ Error: (B) by

✅ Correction: with

✔ He opened the lock with a duplicate key easily.

She improved her English (A) with (B) practice (C) and effort (D).

❌ Error: (B) with

✅ Correction: through

✔ She improved her English through practice and effort.

10.

The child was hit (A) by (B) a stone (C) accidentally (D).

❌ Error: (B) by

✅ Correction: with

✔ The child was hit with a stone accidentally.

Exam Tip (Quick Rule)

by → agent / method

with → tool / instrument

through → process / medium

using → intentional use

Mixed Preposition – Error Spotting

She insisted (A) to (B) paying the bill (C) herself (D).

❌ Error: (B) to

✅ Correction: on

✔ She insisted on paying the bill herself.

He is good (A) in (B) mathematics (C) but weak in English (D).

❌ Error: (B) in

✅ Correction: at

✔ He is good at mathematics.

The train arrived (A) on (B) the station (C) late (D).

❌ Error: (B) on

✅ Correction: at

✔ The train arrived at the station late.

She was angry (A) on (B) him (C) for being late (D).

❌ Error: (B) on

✅ Correction: with / at

✔ She was angry with / at him.

He prevented me (A) to (B) entering the room (C) forcefully (D).

❌ Error: (B) to

✅ Correction: from

✔ He prevented me from entering the room.

The teacher divided the class (A) among (B) two groups (C) equally (D).

❌ Error: (B) among

✅ Correction: between

✔ Divided between two groups.

She congratulated me (A) for (B) my success (C) warmly (D).

❌ Error: (B) for

✅ Correction: on

✔ Congratulated me on my success.

He has been suffering (A) since (B) fever (C) last week (D).

❌ Error: (B) since

✅ Correction: from

✔ Suffering from fever.

The policeman ran (A) behind (B) the thief (C) quickly (D).

❌ Error: (B) behind

✅ Correction: after

✔ Ran after the thief.

10.

She is married (A) with (B) a doctor (C) from Delhi (D).

❌ Error: (B) with

✅ Correction: to

✔ Married to a doctor.

CORE CONFUSION OF THE WORD “TO” (Clear it first)

The confusion happens because “to” has TWO identities:

1️⃣ to = preposition

2️⃣ to = infinitive marker

Your job is only to identify which one it is.

STEP 1: Look at the word before “to”

A. If the word before “to” is an ADJECTIVE

then “to” is almost always a PREPOSITION

Examples of adjectives:

committed

dedicated

opposed

accustomed

addicted

ready

keen

✅ Rule:

Preposition + verb = verb-ing

✔ We are committed to building

✔ She is accustomed to working late

📘 This is why “committed to building” is the safe, correct choice.

B. If the word before “to” is a VERB of decision/intention

then “to” is part of an INFINITIVE

Examples:

decide

plan

want

hope

promise

agree

✅ Rule:

to + base verb

✔ We decided to build a school

✔ They plan to start soon

STEP 2: Use the NOUN REPLACEMENT TEST (Most powerful trick)

Replace the verb with a noun.

Sentence 1:

committed to building

→ committed to development ✔ sounds correct

Sentence 2:

committed to build

→ committed to development ❌ structure breaks

If the noun fits → use verb-ing

STEP 3: Understand WHY

“committed to build” exists Important clarity:

Grammar books say: committed to + noun / gerund

But in government / legal English,

“committed to build” is treated as a fixed promise phrase

Example:

The government is committed to build 5,000 houses.

STEP 4: One golden RULE

After an adjective + “to”, always use verb-ing.

So write:

committed to building

dedicated to serving

opposed to changing

STEP 5: One clear comparison

Sentence Why

We are committed to building “to” = preposition

We plan to build “to” = infinitive

We promised to build verb of promise

We are dedicated to teaching adjective + preposition

How to know❓

✔ Check if the word before “to” is an adjective

✔ If yes → use verb-ing

✔ For exams → never write “committed to build”

📘 USAGE OF MOST (According to Oxford Grammar)

1️⃣ Most as a Determiner (most common)

Used before a noun to mean the majority of.

✅ Structure:

most + plural / uncountable noun

✔ Examples:

Most students are present today.
Most people think positively.
Most water is safe to drink.

📌 Verb rule:

plural noun → plural verb

uncountable noun → singular verb

2️⃣ Most of + noun / pronoun

Used when the noun is specific (has the, this, my, these).

✅ Structure:

most of + determiner + noun

✔ Examples:

Most of the class is empty.
Most of the students are absent.
Most of the information is correct.
Most of them are ready.

📌 Oxford rule:

The verb agrees with the noun after “of”.

3️⃣ Most as a Pronoun

Used alone to replace a noun.

✔ Examples:

Most are willing to help.
Most has already been completed. (formal, uncountable meaning)

📌 Meaning depends on what “most” refers to.

4️⃣ Most + Adjective / Adverb (Superlative)

Used to form the superlative degree.

✔ Examples:

She is the most intelligent student.
This is the most beautifully designed building.

📌 No verb agreement issue here.

📝 COMMON EXAM TRAPS (VERY IMPORTANT)

Sentence

Most students are intelligent.

Reason- students=plural noun

Most of the class is noisy.

class = singular

Most of the workers are on strike.

workers = plural

Most information is reliable.

Information=uncountable noun

Most of the water is polluted.

water =uncountable

“Most” itself does not decide the verb —the noun after it does.

📘 COMPARISON: MOST / MANY / MUCH / MAJORITY

1️⃣ MANY

Use - With countable plural nouns
Meaning-A large number
Verb-Plural

✔ Examples

Many students are absent today.
Many books have been donated.

❌ Wrong

Many water ❌

Many information ❌

2️⃣ MUCH

Use-With uncountable nouns
Meaning-A large amount
Verb-Singular

✔ Examples

Much time is wasted.
Much information has been shared.

📌 Mostly used in negative / interrogative / formal sentences.

3️⃣ MOST

Use-With countable plural AND uncountable nouns
Meaning-More than half / the majority part

Structures

Most + noun
Most of + determiner + noun
Verb Rule -Verb agrees with the noun after “of”

✔ Examples

Most students are ready.
Most of the class is silent.
Most of the water is polluted.

4️⃣ MAJORITY

Use-As a noun (not a determiner)
Meaning-More than half of a group

Structures

The majority of + plural noun
A majority of + plural noun
Verb -Plural when people are meant

✔ Examples

The majority of students are present.
A majority of voters have supported the bill.

📌 Singular verb is possible in theory, but plural is preferred in exams.

SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON TABLE

Word Used with Part of Speech Verb

many countable plural determiner plural

much uncountable determiner singular

most plural /uncountable determiner/pronoun noun-based

majority plural group noun plural (exam-safe)

📝 EXAM TRAPS & CORRECTIONS

Wrong Correct

Many information Much information

Majority students are The majority of students are

Most of the class are Most of the class is

Much people Many people

ONE-LINE MEMORY RULES

Many → countable

Much → uncountable

Most → depends on noun

Majority → noun + “of” + plural

📘 VERB-PATTERN CHART (EXAM-ORIENTED)

1️⃣ INSIST

✔ insist + that-clause

✔ insist on + noun / gerund

Correct

He insisted that we should leave early.

He insisted on leaving early.

Wrong

❌ insisted us that

❌ insisted us to

2️⃣ ADVISE

✔ advise + object + to-infinitive

✔ advise + gerund (general advice)

Correct

The doctor advised me to take rest.

The teacher advised taking regular tests.

Wrong

❌ advised me that

❌ advised to take rest (object missing)

3️⃣ SUGGEST

✔ suggest + gerund

✔ suggest + that-clause (no to)

Correct

She suggested going by bus.

She suggested that we should go by bus.

Wrong

❌ suggested me to

❌ suggested to go

4️⃣ FORBID

✔ forbid + object + to-infinitive

✔ forbid + gerund

Correct

The teacher forbade the students to enter.

Smoking is forbidden here.

Wrong

❌ forbade that

❌ forbade students entering (wrong structure in exams)

5️⃣ ALLOW / PERMIT

✔ allow + object + to-infinitive

Correct

The teacher allowed us to leave early.

Wrong

❌ allowed us leaving

❌ allowed to leave (object missing)

6️⃣ PREVENT

✔ prevent + object + from + gerund

Correct

He was prevented from entering the hall.

Wrong

❌ prevented to enter

❌ prevented entering (missing from)

GOLDEN RULES (REMEMBER THIS!)

Insist / Suggest → NEVER take “to-infinitive”
Advise / Allow → NEED an object
Prevent → always needs “from”
Risk → always followed by gerund

English Logique

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