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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

In ~verb ing

In trying to protect the queen, Howard had put his own life in danger. I know the usage of "in~ verb ing", and in~ing is "when" and "while" but all of a sudden, I was wondering if without "in", the meaning and the grammar of the sentence can be the same. I think it is fine. What do you think? Thank you so much and have a good day.
  

Top answer

Omitting 'in' does not destroy the sentence structure, but it does alter the meaning. With 'in', the trying is a direct cause of the endangerment; without 'in', the endangerment is a side effect.

— Mister Micawber

  • Omitting 'in' does not destroy the sentence structure, but it does alter the meaning.
  • With 'in', the trying is a direct cause of the endangerment; without 'in', the endangerment is a side effect.
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6 Answers
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Omitting 'in' does not destroy the sentence structure, but it does alter the meaning. With 'in', the trying is a direct cause of the endangerment; without 'in', the endangerment is a side effect.
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Thank you but as far as I know, "in" here means "while", and "while" can be omitted in sentences if we know the contexts clearly. So I think we can see "(While) trying to protect..." if there is no any conjunction or "In". However, I am not sure of it. What do you think? Thank you.
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And I think 'a direct cause' comes from 'by~ing', not in~ing. What do you think? Thank you.
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Here, 'in doing' = 'by doing'.
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I have been thinking about your answer for a day and now I know that you are right and I am now shocked that what I have known for a long time has turned out wrong. And thank you, but I also am wondering if "in~ing" and "by ~ing" have the same meaning all the time or in just some cases. Thank you so much!!
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Anonymous I also am wondering if "in~ing" and "by ~ing" have the same meaning all the time or in just some cases.


In/By trying to protect the queen, Howard had put his own life in danger. — In this structure, yes. Of course, not in all cases, since only 'in' works here: In rushing for the bus, I stumbled and fell. And only 'by
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