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Erroranalysis Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Preposition "by", word order

Hi everyone!

Would you say:

A1) He went to London by bus. OR
A2) He went by bus to London.

B1) He went from Liverpool to London by train. OR
B2) He went by train from Liverpool to London.

C1) We started from Liverpool to London by train. OR
C2) We started by train from Liverpool to London.

I somehow have the impression that either way works, no matter which example you take, but I am not sure. I'd always say the number 1 versions, putting the by-constructions at the end of each sentence. Is there a concrete word order rule?
  

Top answer

HI You are right - either way works but the first seems more natural I don't think there is a rule, but we follow what we think people would ask... Usually... - Where did you go?

— Dave_anon

  • HI You are right - either way works but the first seems more natural I don't think there is a rule, but we follow what we think people would ask...
  • Usually...
  • - Where did you go?
  • - and how did you get there?
  • - We went to London by bus Occasionally...
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1 Answers
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HI

You are right - either way works but the first seems more natural

I don't think there is a rule, but we follow what we think people would ask...

Usually...
- Where did you go? - and how did you get there?
- We went to London by bus

Occasionally...
- How did you travel? - and where did you go?
- We went by bus to London

Dave
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