0
Hanuman_2000 Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

Through/by

Hello Teachers,



1.Short and urgent messages can be sent through a telegram.


2.1.Short and urgent messages can be sent by a telegram.

Which one is correct? Would you please give me another sentence that conveys same meaning?

Thanks.
  

Top answer

'Through a telegram' is unnatural, as nothing is passing through the telegram; rather, the message is passing through the telegraph wires. Still, we do not use the form. 'By a telegram' is also unnatural, as we use the 'by' form without the article or determiner: ' by telegram '.

— Mister Micawber

  • 'Through a telegram' is unnatural, as nothing is passing through the telegram; rather, the message is passing through the telegraph wires.
  • Still, we do not use the form.
  • 'By a telegram' is also unnatural, as we use the 'by' form without the article or determiner: ' by telegram '.
  • '
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.

4 Answers
0
'Through a telegram' is unnatural, as nothing is passing through the telegram; rather, the message is passing through the telegraph wires. Still, we do not use the form.

'By a telegram' is also unnatural, as we use the 'by' form without the article or determiner: 'by telegram'.

In the case of this mode of communication, the common forms are:

'Short and urgent
0
0
Hello Teacher,(Sir. M.M)

As you have already quoted:-

'By a telegram' is also unnatural, as we use the 'by' form without the article or determiner: 'by telegram'.



Is 'by' form always used without the article? Is this rule only for means of transport?

What about these?

1.Mobile phone can be crried by a person.

2.He was hurt by
0
0
This 'by + noun' form is idiomatic only for means of communication/transportation. I imagine there are some exceptions, but none come to mind at the moment.
0
0
Another is with verbs of sorting, listing, organizing, etc.

listed by country, organized by subject, sorted by name, classified by title, ...

CJ
0

Related Questions