by

by, through, with are comparable as prepositions followed by a word or phrase naming the agent, means, or instrument. By is followed commonly by the agent or causative agency

{

a wall built by the Romans

}

{

a novel by Scott

}

{

destroyed by fire

}

{

devoured by wolves

}

{

blessed by a priest

}

{

inflamed by the jibes of officers

}

{

impressed by the evidence

}

Through implies intermediacy; it is followed by the name of the person or thing that serves as the medium or the means by which an end is gained or an effect produced

{

speak through an interpreted procure a rare book through a friend

}

{

express ideas through words

}

{

acquire a position through influence

}

{

an opportunity lost through indecision

}

With, on the other hand, is often followed by the name of the instrument which accompanies the action

{

write with a pen

}

{

eat with a fork

}

{

defend oneself with a stick

}

It may, however, take for its object something not consciously used as an instrument but serving as the instrumentality by which an effect is produced

{

he amused the crowd with his anecdotes

}

{

do not kill us with kindness

}