Maya opens the parcel; the knife is what she uses. Both can appear in one passive sentence. The application sentence omits the approver because the approval itself is the point.
The idea
Use by for the doer or cause and normally with for a tool someone uses. After either preposition, use an object pronoun: by him, with it. Omit the agent when unknown, obvious or irrelevant. By hand is a fixed phrase describing a method.
Examples
- The mural was painted by local students.
- The frame was polished with a soft cloth.
- The path was blocked by a fallen tree.
- The application was approved yesterday.
- The wooden toys are made by hand.
- The parcel was opened by Maya with a small knife.
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Watch out
The choice is not simply “people take by, things take with”: a fallen tree can cause a blockage. Decide what role the noun plays. Do not add by someone automatically when it contributes no useful information.
Try it yourself
The students are the painters. Name them as the agents of the action. The mural was painted ___ local students. (by / with)
Show answer or example answer
by
By introduces the students who did the painting. They are the agents, not tools used to paint.
The cloth is the tool used for polishing. Choose the preposition for this role. The frame was polished ___ a soft cloth. (with / by)
Show answer or example answer
with
With introduces the cloth used as a tool. The cloth is not presented as the person doing the polishing.
Choose the correct option. The parcel was opened by ___. (him / he)
Show answer or example answer
him
Him is the object form required after by. He is a subject pronoun and cannot fill this position.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
The students are the painters. Name them as the agents of the action. The mural was painted ___ local students. (by / with)
The cloth is the tool used for polishing. Choose the preposition for this role. The frame was polished ___ a soft cloth. (with / by)
Choose the correct option. The parcel was opened by ___. (him / he)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Describe an object made or repaired by someone you know. Name the person with by and one tool with with. Write another passive sentence where the person's identity is unnecessary and leave it out.