The usage of the way

Question

three examples are as follows1. i make pies the way that my mom made2. i make pies the way my mom did3. i make pies in the same way as my mom didFirst, someone told me that in the first example, "that" shouldn't be in this sentence, because" the way" here is a conjunction. and the correct writing is the second one.Second, in the third example, can i make a sentence like "i make pies the same way as my mom did", and is that grammatically right? and does it have to be a "in" before the way or is it just like that someone said the way is a conjunction, and should only be used that way?

Mr. Tom · Accepted Answer

Hi Anon,

Since you are posting on a language forum, it is advisable that you pay attention to your punctuation. Your "i" should be "I" in all the examples you posted.

I would say this:

I make pie the way my mother does.

Tom

CalifJim · Answer

1. I make pies the way that my mom made. NO. But this is possible: I make pies the way that my mom made them.
2. I make pies the way my mom did. Very good. Also possible: I make pies the way that my mom did.
3. I make pies in the same way as my mom did. Good. Also possible without 'in'. 'as' is less common than 'that'.

_______________________________

"the way" is not a conjunction. The combination "that way that" is fine, but most people leave out "that".

Your second sentence is the best.

CJ

Artygal12 · Answer

I have 2 comments on this.

1) If the mother still makes pies that way, then the speaker would have to use "makes" and "does" rather than "made" and "did," right? Or would "made" and "did" still be acceptable if she has made the pies that way at some point in the past?

2) The third sentence feels off to me. I'm not so certain that

CalifJimas my mom did.

is grammatically correct. I don't think that "as" is as appropriate to use as "that" in this case. Any thoughts?

CalifJim · Answer

artygal12 If the mother still makes pies that way, then the speaker would have to use "makes" and "does" rather than "made" and "did," right?

That's right.

artygal12would "made" and "did" still be acceptable if she has made the pies that way at some point in the past?

Also right, but "did" seems more likely to indicate that the mother used to make pies that way. Maybe the mother has died since the time she used to make those pies; maybe she has not; maybe she is alive, but she just doesn't make pies anymore these days.

artygal12 I don't think that "as" is as appropriate to use as "that" in this case.

I have already noted that 'as' is less common than 'that'. Still, the presence of 'same' makes the 'as' seem correct, at least to my ear, because we so often say that something is " the same as" another thing.

CJ

Tim Chen 8872 · Answer

Also, if I generalize the rules which you mentioned here, the following sentence will be grammatically correct,right?

1.My mom raised me the way (that) she raised my brother.
2. My mom raised me (in) the way (that) she raised my brother.>>> "in" is often omitted, but still grammaticallly correct?
3. My mom raised me (in) the same way as she did to my brother.>> "in" is often omitted

>>>So the best way to write it would be:
My mom raised me the way she raised my brother.
My mom raised me the same way as she did to my brother.
or
My mom raised me the way she did to my brother.
My mom raised me the same way as she raised my brother.

I assume that those sentences above are correct....but i am not sure

CalifJim · Answer

1.My mom raised me the way (that) she raised my brother. OK.
2. My mom raised me (in) the way (that) she raised my brother. OK.>>> "in" is often omitted, but still grammaticallly correct? Yes.
3. My mom raised me (in) the same way as she did to my brother.>> No "to". "in" is often omitted Yes.

>>>So the best way to write it would be: All below are OK as shown. No "to". "did" replaces "raised", so adding "to" says "the way she raised to my brother". "raised to my brother" is not correct.

My mom raised me the way she raised my brother. << Of the four, this is the best.
My mom raised me the same way as she did to my brother.
or
My mom raised me the way she did to my brother.
My mom raised me the same way as she raised my brother.

CJ

Note: The editor does not permit cross-outs and red color on the same letters. Items in red should be deleted.

Tim Chen 8872 · Answer

thanks a lot. It's just "My mom raised me the way she did my brother." sounds really strange

CalifJim · Answer

Tim Chen 8872It's just that "My mom raised me the way she did my brother." sounds really strange.

Most things we learn seem strange at first. Keep saying it to yourself again and again and it will begin to sound normal. Frankly, most people would repeat "raised" instead of substituting "did", but "did" is correct too.

She explained the rule the (same) way I did.
She opened the window the (same) way I did the door.
Lucy cooks pork the (same) way George does chicken.

On the other hand, I see what you mean. It's more awkward when did doesn't end the sentence.

CJ

Enoon · Answer

Tim Chen 8872thanks a lot. It's just "My mom raised me the way she did my brother." sounds really strange

That sounds British to me. It's good English, but I would never put it that way.

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