Omission of the words 'with a'

Question

Would you see the below sentences?He used to walk along the shore (with a) pipe in (his) mouth.He walked along the street limping (with a) stick in (his) hand.What cause can the words 'with a' be omitted for ?In advance, Thank you for your help.

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

park sang joonWhat cause can the words 'with a' be omitted for ?

When can the article "a" be omitted?

In your sentences, the words in parenthesis are sometimes omitted to form an adverb phrase.
But it is an unusual literary style, and not used in business or everyday language.

He used to walk along the shore, pipe in mouth.
He used to walk along the shore, a pipe in his mouth.
He walked along the street limping, stick in hand.
He walked along the street limping, a stick in his hand.

Park sang joon · Answer

Thank you for your post, AlpheccaStars.
Can I assure myself that only the preposition 'with' can be omitted, not other prepositions?
He had himself cut (by a) knife (in) his hand. (X)

AlpheccaStars · Answer

park sang joonThank you for your post, AlpheccaStars.Can I assure myself that only the preposition 'with' can be omitted, not other prepositions?

"With" does not always qualify, either. The examples in your earlier post are very special cases.
When it shows agency, the preposition must be included.
Most of the time prepositions are required to show the role that the object plays in the sentence:

He was cut on his arm (where) by a knife. (causal agent)
He cut himself on his arm (where) with a knife (causal agent) that he held in his hand. (location of the causal agent)

Park sang joon · Answer

Thank you AlpheccaStars for your additional information.
I don't know of 'causal agent', but I think we can omit 'with' only in case of 'with noun' plus a prepositional phrase and
can not omit other preposition.
Is my guess right?

AlpheccaStars · Answer

The difference is that "by" and "with" inform us of what did the action (the agent):

He hit the dog with a stick. (the stick was what hit the dog)
He was cut by the broken glass. (the glass is what cut him)

He limped slowly with a cane in his hand. (the cane has no relation to his limping; it only gives a more descriptive picture of how he was walking)
He limped slowly, cane in hand. (the comma is necessary. The phrase paints a picture. It is similar to an adjective, modifying the subject, "he" )

Park sang joon · Answer

Thank you for your additional account, AlpheccaStars.
Your examples and account show difference means and a state. They are clarify the role of the agent.
I almost understood what you mean.

Omission of the words 'with a'

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