Interpretation of "using"

[gorikaz]

Please tell me the difference between the following two:

1. They will show the examples using this method.
2. They will show the examples, using this method.

To me, the meaning of the above 2 is clear, but I want to know if the meaning of 1. can be sometimes interpreted just the same as 2.

In 1, does "using this method" modify "examples"? If so, the meaning of the sentence will be: They will show the examples which use this method.

[Casiopea]

As is, that's without a comma (,), sentence 1. could be ambiguous. 'using' this example' modifies the closest noun, unless, that is, it's separated from the nearest noun by a comma, and in that case it would modify the next closest noun. So, in 1., 'using this method' modifies the noun 'examples', whereas in 2. it modifies the (pro)noun 'they'.

1. They will show the examples using this method.
2. They will show the examples, using this method.
3. They will show, using this method, the examples.

Hope that helps.

[dihen]

Can I say these?
`
They will using this method show the examples.
They will, using this method, show the examples.

[Casiopea]

The 1st one is ungrammatical. 'will using' is not a verb structure in English. In the 2nd one, a comma separates 'will' and 'using' and that stops the reader from processing the two together.

Hope that helps.

[dihen]

Originally Posted by Casiopea

The 1st one is ungrammatical. 'will using' is not a verb structure in English.

I was using "using this method" as an adverbial phrase, can I?

[gorikaz]

Casipea,

Thank you for clarifying the points.

[Casiopea]

You're most welcome.