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Jackson6612 Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

capable of being bought or obtained for money...

venal
1: capable of being bought or obtained for money or other valuable consideration : purchasable; especially
: open to corrupt influence and especially bribery : mercenary <a venal legislator>
[M-W's Col. Dic.]

Couldn't by be used in place of for in the above definition?

  

Top answer

No. by is different. If you get something for something else, an exchange is implied.

  • No.
  • by is different.
  • If you get something for something else, an exchange is implied.
  • That's the case with money.
  • You exchange the money for something else.
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2 Answers
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No. by is different.

If you get something for something else, an exchange is implied. That's the case with money. You exchange the money for something else.

Jerry got $1500 for his car.
I bought this pen for 20 cents.
Mary paid me for my help.


If you get something by something else, exchange is not implied.

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