by machine

[Snappy]

Are these sentences acceptable?

He washed his clothes by washing machine.
He washed his clothes by the washing machine.
He washed his clothes on the washing machine.
He washed his clothes in the washing machine.

[bhagona]

Hi Snappy,


Not a teacher, I think, He washed his clothes with washing machine is correct. I am not sure, but generally we don’t use "by" when the doer is non-living.

For example

We write "with" pen, not "by" pen.

Wait for teachers.

[jlinger]

I believe only the "in the washing machine" is correct.

One would naturally say, "He washed his clothes by hand" so perhaps one could say "by machine" - and therefore it would be acceptable to say "by washing machine" but it's awkward.

To wash them by the washing machine might suggest he used a sink next to the machine. It's simply confusing.

To wash them on the washing machine clearly means he didn't use the machine at all, other than as a surface upon which to put his bucket of water in which he washed his clothes.

[Rover_KE]

I believe only the "in the washing machine" is correct.

I agree with jlinger.

Rover