use of via

Question

Is Via used correctly in this sentence?I found out about it via the internet. Also, what about if I find some information and post it on my account and at the end write: Via BBC newsIs it correct to use via in that way, especially after getting some information from a specific resource and writing I got it via Forbes magazine?Thanks

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Can a teacher help on this please.

Fivejedjon · Answer

AnonymousI found out about it via the internet.

That's OK.

AnonymousAlso, what about if I find some information and post it on my account and at the end write: Via BBC newsIs it correct to use via in that way, especially after getting some information from a specific resource and writing I got it via Forbes magazine?

No, You normally credit the source in brackets, (BBC News, 14 December 2014) or (bbcnews@bcc.com/dtale)

Anonymous · Answer

fivejedjon AnonymousI found out about it via the internet.That's OK.AnonymousAlso, what about if I find some information and post it on my account and at the end write: Via BBC newsIs it correct to use via in that way, especially after getting some information from a specific resource and writing I got it via Forbes magazine?No, You normally credit the source in brackets, (BBC News, 14 December 2014) or (Email Removed/dtale)

Thank you. I am just curious, because I see via used a lot in this way:

Via Forbes magazine.

What does via mean when used in that way?

GPY · Answer

AnonymousThank you. I am just curious, because I see via used a lot in this way:Via Forbes magazine.What does via mean when used in that way?

There are indeed a number of Google hits for "via Forbes magazine" (for example) that seem to be using the phrase simply as an attribution or credit. To me, this seems a misuse or misunderstanding of the word "via". There are also some more borderline cases where "via" may be more justifiable, e.g. when the original source is someone else, and it has been "retransmitted" by Forbes magazine.

Anonymous · Answer

GPY AnonymousThank you. I am just curious, because I see via used a lot in this way:Via Forbes magazine.What does via mean when used in that way?There are indeed a number of Google hits for "via Forbes magazine" (for example) that seem to be using the phrase simply as an attribution or credit. To me, this seems a misuse or misunderstanding of the word "via". There are also some more borderline cases where "via" may be more justifiable, e.g. when the original source is someone else, and it has been "retransmitted" by Forbes magazine.

Yes exactly. So via does not mean the same as 'from', right?

From Forbes magazine; From BBC news.
Via Forbes magazine; Via BBC news.

I think 'from' works better when you obtain something from a source or do they mean the same. Do you agree?

GPY · Answer

AnonymousYes exactly. So via does not mean the same as 'from', right?From Forbes magazine; From BBC news.Via Forbes magazine; Via BBC news.I think 'from' works better when you obtain something from a source or do they mean the same. Do you agree?

"via" is not correct as a general substitute for "from" in such cases. "via" is only justifiable if the content has in some sense "passed through" the cited source.

Anonymous · Answer

GPYvia" is only justifiable if the content has in some sense "passed through" the cited source.

So Via is using when there are three parties: original source, citied source, and I. The cited source takes it from the original and I take it from the cited source. And it is justified when it is passed through the citied source from the original. Have I understood correctly?

Also, Would the use of 'from' be correct, as indicated above, as in I obtained the information from a specific source?

I'm pretty sure I understood correctly, but I would appreciate your confirmation on the above two questions.

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