By, With, and For
Use 'by' for method, means of transport, and the agent in a passive sentence. Use 'with' for tools, instruments, and accompaniment. Use 'for' for purpose, recipients, and reason.
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We travelled to the island ___ boat.
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by
Use 'by' for means of transport — by boat, by car, by train.
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He cut the bread ___ a sharp knife.
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with
Use 'with' for the tool or instrument you use to do something.
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This special knife is ___ cutting bread.
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for
Use 'for' to express the purpose of something.
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I can't read this menu ___ my glasses.
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without
Use 'without' to show that something is missing or absent.
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She sent the documents ___ email this morning.
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by
Use 'by' for the method of communication — by email, by phone, by post.
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I bought a birthday present ___ my sister.
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for
Use 'for' to show who receives or benefits from something.
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I went to the cinema ___ my friends.
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with
Use 'with' to show who accompanies you.
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This famous novel was written ___ a young author.
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by
Use 'by' for the person who does the action in a passive sentence.
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The old window was broken ___ a careless boy.
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by
Use 'by' for the person who does the action in a passive sentence.
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The old window was broken ___ a small stone.
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with
Use 'with' for the instrument or object used to do the action.
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These days most people prefer to pay ___ card rather than cash.
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by
Use 'by' for the method of payment — pay by card, by cheque.
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We mainly use this room ___ team meetings.
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for
Use 'for' to express the purpose something is used for.
By, With, and For: Method, Tool, and Purpose
'By', 'with', and 'for' are three of the highest-frequency functional prepositions in English, and each covers a distinct semantic role. 'By' marks the method or channel through which something happens, and introduces the agent in a passive sentence. 'With' marks the physical tool or instrument used to perform an action, and the person who accompanies you. 'For' marks the purpose behind an object or action, and the person who receives or benefits from something. Learners frequently swap these three prepositions because paying by card, cutting with a knife, and buying a gift for someone all describe an action with an object attached — but the relationship between the verb and that object is different in each case. The minimal pair 'broken by a careless boy' (agent) versus 'broken with a small stone' (instrument) shows the contrast most clearly: the agent performs the action, while the instrument is only the tool the agent used.
By — Method, Means of Transport, and Agent
She sent the documents by email this morning. (channel of communication)
These days most people prefer to pay by card rather than cash. (method of payment)
This famous novel was written by a young author. (agent in a passive sentence)
The old window was broken by a careless boy. (agent — the boy caused it)
With — Tools, Instruments, and Accompaniment
The old window was broken with a small stone. (instrument — the stone was thrown)
I went to the cinema with my friends. (accompaniment)
She welcomed her guests with a warm smile. (manner)
For — Purpose and Recipients
I bought a birthday present for my sister. (recipient)
We mainly use this room for team meetings. (purpose)
Without — The Negative of With
'Without' is the negative counterpart of 'with' — it marks the absence of a tool, person, or action.
He walked out of the room without saying a single word.
Common Mistakes
✗ He cut the bread by a sharp knife. → ✓ He cut the bread with a sharp knife.
✗ The old window was broken with a careless boy. → ✓ The old window was broken by a careless boy.
✗ I bought a birthday present to my sister. → ✓ I bought a birthday present for my sister.
✗ I can't read this menu with my glasses. → ✓ I can't read this menu without my glasses.
Last updated: · Satori Editorial