was given a poor mark

[saika]

Hi!
Could you, please, explain why I can't say ' It was described using some dull colours'. My teacher insists on '... by using...' . Is it really a mistake?

[susiedqq]

' It was described using some dull colours'.

... by using...'

I don't understand why the word "colours" was used, but I tried this:

It was described using some dull words.

It was described by using some dull words.


IMHO - either is correct; #2 is better.

[David L.]

Others, as I, may be unsure what 'it' is, and how something is 'described' in dull colours unless this is a literary (rather poetic) manner of writing.

"He was able to capture the bleakness of life at that time by using only dull colours when painting apparently joyous family scenes."

Using a minimum of brush strokes, he nevertheless caught the sweeping vista of the Kanungra Plateau.

[susiedqq]

I thought it might be interior decorating termonology.