by or with?

Dear teacher, I often find myself confused. I heard both the term "surrounded by" and "surrounded with" and I'm not sure which one is the correct term. Can you help me ?

[anupumh]

Originally Posted by karnation7

Dear teacher, I often find myself confused. I heard both the term "surrounded by" and "surrounded with" and I'm not sure which one is the correct term. Can you help me ?

"Surrounded by" refers to what is happening to the thing/person/etc. that is being surrounded....


"Surrounded with" refers to the action that is being carried out by the thing/person that is doing the surrounding.

Surrounded by or with? - WordReference Forums

[svartnik]

Originally Posted by anupumh

"Surrounded by" refers to what is happening to the thing/person/etc. that is being surrounded....


"Surrounded with" refers to the action that is being carried out by the thing/person that is doing the surrounding.

Surrounded by or with? - WordReference Forums

I disagree.

I am surrounded by my friends -- the action of my friends taking place around me has taken place

I am surrounded by my friends -- I am in a state of being located within a circle of friends

Both readings are possible.

I surrounded with my friends. -- I do not think we use 'with' with friends

[karnation7]

Thank you both for answering, but I believe I'm still confused...

[svartnik]

Originally Posted by karnation7

Thank you both for answering, but I believe I'm still confused...

A case of the blind leading the blind.

'surrounded with' denotes a looser configuration than 'surrounded by'.