Results 1 to 4 of 4
Like Tree3Likes
  • 2 Post By Tdol
  • 1 Post By 5jj

Thread: means of transport - prepositions

  1. #1
    Verona_82 is offline Senior Member
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • Other
      • Native Language:
      • Russian
      • Home Country:
      • Russian Federation
      • Current Location:
      • Ukraine
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    918

    Default means of transport - prepositions

    Hello,

    I'd like to find out what prepositions should be used when talking about some means of 'transport'. I've made up a couple of sentences; not all of them may sound good because of the verb, but my main focus is on prepositions.
    I'd be grateful if somebody could have a look at them.

    1. We went there on rollerblades (not by?)
    2. We flew there by balloon.
    3. We went there on skateboard (not by?)
    4. We went there by rikshaw.
    5. We got there on stilts (not by?)
    6. We got there by canoe / kayak.
    7. We got there on a raft (not by raft?)
    8. In the future people will travel by spaceship.
    9. We went there by horse (maybe 'on horseback'?)
    10. We got there by dog sled.
    11. We got there by camel / donkey (maybe 'on a camel'? )

    Thank you!

  2. #2
    Tdol is offline Editor, UsingEnglish.com
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • English Teacher
      • Native Language:
      • British English
      • Home Country:
      • UK
      • Current Location:
      • Philippines
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Posts
    35,328
    Teacher

    Default Re: means of transport - prepositions

    1 & 3 I would use on rather than by as they're not really a form of transportation to me, but younger speakers and people who actually use them may disagree. The same is true for 5, though circus clowns may disagree with me.

    7 I would use by raft if that was the means of transport. If it were the result of, for example, a shipwreck, then I would use on.

    The others seem fine, though I am not sure why the verb keeps changing- what's the difference between went & got to you?
    5jj and Verona_82 like this.

  3. #3
    5jj's Avatar
    5jj
    5jj is online now Moderator
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • English Teacher
      • Native Language:
      • British English
      • Home Country:
      • England
      • Current Location:
      • Czech Republic
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    16,976
    Teacher

    Default Re: means of transport - prepositions

    I did not respond to this, because I couldn't make up my mind about what I would say. I agree with Tdol's response - I think.
    Verona_82 likes this.

  4. #4
    Verona_82 is offline Senior Member
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • Other
      • Native Language:
      • Russian
      • Home Country:
      • Russian Federation
      • Current Location:
      • Ukraine
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    918
    Threadstarter / Original Poster

    Default Re: means of transport - prepositions

    Thank you, Tdol!

    Quote Originally Posted by Tdol View Post
    The others seem fine, though I am not sure why the verb keeps changing- what's the difference between went & got to you?

    I did that for a bit of variety

    I found 'by horse/camel/donkey' a bit surprising. Being used to inanimate objects preceeded by 'by' when talking about transportation, I need to rethink my
    notions.

    And the phrase is "on skateboard", no article?

Similar Threads

  1. transport
    By raabarbar in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 21-Apr-2010, 08:51
  2. transport
    By Unregistered in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 25-Dec-2007, 22:32
  3. Transport
    By Unregistered in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 05-Apr-2007, 16:20
  4. means of transport is or are?
    By sheena55ro in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 30-Jul-2006, 20:29
  5. by + mode of transport
    By engee30 in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 23-Apr-2006, 17:46

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0