0
Anonymous Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Word difference

what is the difference in meaning between using 'by' and 'when' in this sentence?

A good day starts by receiving something nice from a friend.
A good days starts when you receive something nice from a friend.

Thanks!
  

Top answer

” “Receiving something is the result of someone else doing something. ” A sentence that begins with, “A good day starts by …” seems to suggest the day is doing something; so it should be followed by an action performed by the Day, such as “the sun being unclouded”. A sentence that begins with, “A good day starts when …” suggests that the day hasn’t started until something; so it should be followed by an action performed by oneself or another person.

— Wilpeter

  • ” “Receiving something is the result of someone else doing something.
  • ” A sentence that begins with, “A good day starts by …” seems to suggest the day is doing something; so it should be followed by an action performed by the Day, such as “the sun being unclouded”.
  • A sentence that begins with, “A good day starts when …” suggests that the day hasn’t started until something; so it should be followed by an action performed by oneself or another person.
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
Mostly, I’ve seen sentences like “A good day starts with a good breakfast.”
“Receiving something is the result of someone else doing something. It is passive, rather than active.”

A sentence that begins with, “A good day starts by…”
seems to suggest the day is doing something; so it should be followed by an action performed by the Day, such as “the sun being
0
0
wilpeterMostly, I’ve seen sentences like “A good day starts with a good breakfast.”“Receiving something is the result of someone else doing something. It is passive, rather than active.”A sentence that begins with, “A good day starts by…”seems to suggest the day is doing something; so it should be followed by an action performed by the Day, such as “the sun being uncloude
0
0
AnonymousSo it seems that 'when' is the appropriate word for the sentence I asked about, right?
Yes. In my experience, my best days start when something good happens--like an email, a letter by post, or a phone call.
0
0
wilpeter AnonymousSo it seems that 'when' is the appropriate word for the sentence I asked about, right?Yes. In my experience, my best days start when something good happens--like an email, a letter by post, or a phone call.
Great. Thank you very much for your help, again.
0

Related Questions