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Gilysse Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
"using" a knife?
Can I say "He cuts an apple using a knife."? My head of department always prefers the answer "He cuts an apple by using a knife." Are they both correct or wrong? Thanks in advance.
Top answer
Both are correct. CB
- Both are correct.
- CB
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3 Answers
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Hi,
Yes, both are correct.
But you'd almost always say simply 'He cuts an apple with a knife'.
Actually, more likely is the shorter 'He cuts an apple', since a knife would be assumed. You don't normally cut an apple with scissors, or with a razor.
Best wishes, Clive
Yes, both are correct.
But you'd almost always say simply 'He cuts an apple with a knife'.
Actually, more likely is the shorter 'He cuts an apple', since a knife would be assumed. You don't normally cut an apple with scissors, or with a razor.
Best wishes, Clive
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Both are grammatically correct.
However, the first example is more likely to be used than the second. The insertion of 'by' tends to move the focus of the meaning away from the apple and towards the knife and the cutting action.
It is much more likely that a user of British English would express the idea as:
"He cuts an apple with a knife."
However, the first example is more likely to be used than the second. The insertion of 'by' tends to move the focus of the meaning away from the apple and towards the knife and the cutting action.
It is much more likely that a user of British English would express the idea as:
"He cuts an apple with a knife."
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