0
Dcomest Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

"done with hands" vs. "done by hands"

I'd like to ask you the proper usuage of prepositions in the sentence below.

All sewing was done [with/by] hands until the invention of the sewing machine in the nineteenth century.

a. All sewing was done with hands ...
b. All sewing was done by hands ...

Which of the two sounds better?
I think b. does sound more natural, but I'd like to hear the voice of native speakers' intuition.

Any food for thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

Jay from ROK
  

Top answer

Both "with" and "by" imply, an instrument, a tool, whereas "with" also implies, together, so I'd choose the preposition that's not ambiguous: "by hand". " (There's no -s on 'thought') All the best,

— Casi

  • Both "with" and "by" imply, an instrument, a tool, whereas "with" also implies, together, so I'd choose the preposition that's not ambiguous: "by hand".
  • " (There's no -s on 'thought') All the best,
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

3 Answers
0
Both "with" and "by" imply, an instrument, a tool, whereas "with" also implies, together, so I'd choose the preposition that's not ambiguous: "by hand".

Try, "Any food for thought?" (There's no -s on 'thought')

All the best,
0
0
You need the phrase 'by hand' (not hands) for this situation. With hands sounds odd.
0
0
Thanks a lot everybody!

I really appreciate your sincere comments!



Jay
0

Related Questions