Prepositions of Manner: Uses, Rules and Examples

Overview

Prepositions of manner answer the question: how? They describe the way an action is carried out, the method used, or the condition under which something happens. While adverbs often answer the same question, prepositions of manner do so by linking the verb to a noun phrase rather than modifying the verb directly.

The five most common prepositions of manner in English are by, with, without, like, and in. Each one approaches the idea of "how" from a different angle. By names the method or agent. With names the instrument or accompanying quality. Without names what is absent. Like draws a comparison. In introduces the manner as a state or style.

By: Method and Means

By names the method, means, or agent through which something is done. It answers the question: through what means was this achieved? It appears frequently in sentences about transport, communication, and process.

When by refers to a mode of transport, it is followed directly by the noun, with no article.

By also appears followed by a gerund to describe the method behind a result. This pattern is common in both written and spoken English at B1 level and above.

With: Instrument and Quality

With names the instrument used to perform an action, or an accompanying quality or state. It tells the reader what tool, object, or characteristic was present during the action.

When with names an instrument, it is similar in function to by, but the distinction matters. By names a method or process; with names a specific physical tool or object.

When with names an accompanying quality or emotion, it describes the manner in a more abstract way.

Without: Absence of Manner

Without names what is absent during an action, whether that is a tool, a quality, or a condition. It can be followed by a noun or a gerund.

The gerund form after without is particularly common. Without followed by a gerund carries a negative meaning without using the word not. "He left without saying goodbye" means the same as "He left and he did not say goodbye," but the first is more concise and more natural in everyday use.

Like: Comparison of Manner

Like draws a comparison between the way something is done and something familiar. It is followed by a noun or noun phrase, not a clause.

A common point of confusion at B1 level is the difference between like as a preposition and as as a conjunction. Like is followed by a noun. As is followed by a clause with a subject and a verb. In informal speech, like is often used in both positions, but in formal writing the distinction is maintained.

In: Style and State of Manner

In introduces the style, language, medium, or state in which something is done. It appears often in fixed phrases and collocations.

The pattern in a ... way or in a ... manner allows a wide range of adjectives to function as manner descriptions.

Comparing By, With, and In

These three prepositions all answer the question "how," but they approach it differently.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Using By With an Article Before Transport Nouns

When by refers to a mode of transport, no article is used. Adding a, an, or the before the transport noun is a very common error.

Mistake 2: Confusing With and By for Methods

By introduces a process or means; with introduces a physical instrument. Swapping them produces sentences that are either unnatural or incorrect.

Mistake 3: Using Like as a Conjunction in Formal Writing

In formal English, like is a preposition and must be followed by a noun phrase, not a full clause. Using like before a subject and verb is acceptable in casual speech but should be avoided in formal writing.

Mistake 4: Using Without Followed by an Infinitive

Without must be followed by a noun or a gerund, not an infinitive with to.

Mistake 5: Omitting In With Language and Medium Expressions

When describing the language, medium, or style used to perform an action, in is required. Dropping it leaves the sentence incomplete.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Preposition

Choose the correct preposition of manner to complete each sentence.

1. He commutes to the office ______ bicycle every morning. (by / with / in)
2. She greeted all the guests ______ a warm smile and a firm handshake. (by / with / like)
3. They communicated ______ sign language throughout the meeting. (by / in / without)
4. He completed the entire project ______ asking for any help at all. (without / like / by)
5. She moved through the negotiation ______ an experienced diplomat. (with / like / in)
6. He improved his pronunciation ______ listening to podcasts every day. (with / by / in)

Exercise 2: Correct the Error

Find and correct the one preposition of manner error in each sentence.

1. She goes to university by the metro every morning.
2. He signed the contract without to read the full terms.
3. They finished the task by great speed and very little discussion.
4. She wrote all her notes French, which made them difficult for others to read.
5. He handled the complaint like I had trained him to, with patience and clarity.

Exercise 3: Complete the Sentence

Complete each sentence using a suitable preposition of manner and your own words.

1. She passed the exam ______ ______.
2. He fixed the broken chair ______ ______.
3. They made their presentation ______ ______.
4. She left the room ______ ______.

Summary

Choosing the right preposition of manner depends on understanding what kind of "how" the sentence is expressing: a method, a tool, an absence, a comparison, or a style.