If both using "by" and not using "by" were possible without a change in meaning... Is that so?
Do the sentences below mean the same, are correct, or not?

1) You can turn off the TV by pushing that button.

2) You can turn off the TV pushing the button.

3) He learned Chinese by listening to the radio.

4) He learned Chinese listening to the radio.

Thank you.

Question

If both using "by" and not using "by" were possible without a change in meaning... Is that so?
Do the sentences below mean the same, are correct, or not?

1) You can turn off the TV by pushing that button.

2) You can turn off the TV pushing the button.

3) He learned Chinese by listening to the radio.

4) He learned Chinese listening to the radio.

Thank you.

Answer

I'd actually keep "by" in both your example sentences. If you remove it, it's too easy to mistake the noun clause for a participle phrase.  These work very differently in a sentence, so you need the preposition.

Sentence 2 actually has a very different meaning without "by". It means the TV is already doing the button-pushing, not you.

Again, sentence 4 sounds awkward and could even have a different meaning (ie. imply Chinese people, not Chinese language).

Answers · 2

Still haven’t found your answers?

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn a language from the comfort of your own home. Browse our selection of experienced language tutors and enroll in your first lesson now!