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Hirashin Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Ａ lot of people were injured by/in the accident．

I think you say (a). But how about (b) and (c)? Do you ever say them, too?
(a) A lot of people were injured in the accident.
(b) A lot of people were injured by the accident.
(c) The accident injured a lot of people.
  

Top answer

(a) and (c) are fine. "By" is a preposition of agency, and the accident is just the circumstances, not the cause. So you might say "A lot of people were injured by gunfire," but you wouldn't say (b).

— Deadrat

  • (a) and (c) are fine.
  • "By" is a preposition of agency, and the accident is just the circumstances, not the cause.
  • So you might say "A lot of people were injured by gunfire," but you wouldn't say (b).
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2 Answers
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(a) and (c) are fine. "By" is a preposition of agency, and the accident is just the circumstances, not the cause. So you might say "A lot of people were injured by gunfire," but you wouldn't say (b).
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Thanks for the help, deadrat.
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