Applying sustainable manufacturing methods, factories can help prevent depletion of resources.

[Mehrgan]

Hi,

Can the sentence

"Applying sustainable manufacturing methods, factories can help prevent depletion of resources."

be also written using the word 'by'? Does the meaning change, and is it necessary to use 'by'?

"By applying sustainable manufacturing methods, factories can help prevent depletion of resources."

Though I'm not sure, I think the first model is called an 'adverbial clause'. And, this is a sample I have written, and it's not copied.

 

[Tarheel]

Your sentence is fine, but so, of course, is the original.

 

[teechar]

Mehrgan, where did you find the original?

 

[Mehrgan]

Your sentence is fine, but so, of course, is the original.

Thanks. Which one would be your choice as a native speaker? I'm practising for a writing test, which is why I'm curious to know the difference.

 

[Mehrgan]

Mehrgan, where did you find the original?

As I said, it's not copied. I'm just obsessed with this grammar. What I don't know is the grammar title for this usage, and why sometimes 'by' is omitted.

 

[jutfrank]

I suggest you always use By, because it's important to express what you mean to say.

 

[teechar]

In fact, the version with "by" would be the only one I'd use for that sentence.

 

[Mehrgan]

So, if I got it right, if 'the way/method' of doing something is meant, we'd better use 'by'. But we can start the phrase with an -ing if a simultaneous action, or cause and effect, is supposed to be expressed.

I'm copying some sentences from Understanding Grammar, titled as "Modifying Adverbial Phrases" (by Azar & Hagen):

1. "Walking down the street, I ran into an old friend."

2. "Lacking the necessary qualifications, he was not considered for the job."

And, my sentence:

3. "By investing in arts, governments can widen public's insight into fine works."



Yet, I'm not sure if this is correct at all!
4. "Increasing your blood flow and boosting the circulation, [ working out on a regular basis ] is highly recommended."

 

[tedmc]

I prefer:
Working out on a regular basis is highly recommended to improve blood circulation.

 

[5jj]

4. "Increasing your blood flow and boosting the circulation, [ working out on a regular basis ] is highly recommended."

That needs by before working out.

 

[Tarheel]

@Mehrgan In addition to what 5jj said, there are a couple of words in that one that can be deleted.

 

[emsr2d2]

Increasing your blood flow and boosting the circulation, [working out on a regular basis] is highly recommended.

The only correction I've made above is that I've removed the incorrect space after the opening bracket and before the closing bracket. I wasn't really sure what you were trying to get across with the use of square brackets.

There are a couple of ways to make that string of words grammatical:

- Increasing your blood flow and boosting your circulation, by working out on a regular basis, is highly recommended. (Two commas and "by".)
In this version, it's clear that working out on a regular basis is how to increase your blood flow and boost your circulation.

- Increasing your blood flow and boosting your circulation by working out on a regular basis is highly recommended. (No commas; with "by".)
In this version, the recommendation is that you regularly work out to increase blood flow and boost circulation.

There's also this possibility:
- Increasing your blood flow, boosting your circulation, and working out on a regular basis are highly recommended. (Multiple changes.)
Admittedly, if your intention was to make it clear that working out leads to better blood flow and circulation, then I have totally changed the meaning.

 

[teechar]

- Increasing your blood flow and boosting your circulation by working out on a regular basis is highly recommended. (No commas; no "by".)
In this version, the recommendation is that you regularly work out to increase blood flow and boost circulation.

But that version does have "by".

 

[Tarheel]

@emsr2d2 I agree that you should leave "by" in there

But that version does have "by".

In my humble opinion, you have to have it there.

 

[emsr2d2]

Sorry for the confusion. I meant to write "with by". I've changed it.

 

[Mehrgan]

The only correction I've made above is that I've removed the incorrect space after the opening bracket and before the closing bracket. I wasn't really sure what you were trying to get across with the use of square brackets.

There are a couple of ways to make that string of words grammatical:

- Increasing your blood flow and boosting your circulation, by working out on a regular basis, is highly recommended. (Two commas and "by".)
In this version, it's clear that working out on a regular basis is how to increase your blood flow and boost your circulation.

- Increasing your blood flow and boosting your circulation by working out on a regular basis is highly recommended. (No commas; with "by".)
In this version, the recommendation is that you regularly work out to increase blood flow and boost circulation.

There's also this possibility:
- Increasing your blood flow, boosting your circulation, and working out on a regular basis are highly recommended. (Multiple changes.)
Admittedly, if your intention was to make it clear that working out leads to better blood flow and circulation, then I have totally changed the meaning.

Thanks for the time and the detailed answer.

Actually, I used the brackets to show the subject of my sentence, and that the WHOLE phrase (action) helps to increase blood flow and boost circulation.

The rephrased version would be, 'Working out on a regular basis (and not on a whim!) is highly recommended because it can increase our blood flow and boost the circulation.'

And for weird reasons I think these sentences may mean the same:

A) "Increasing blood flow and boosting the circulation, working out on a regular basis is highly recommended."
B) "While increasing blood flow and boosting the circulation, working out on a regular basis is highly recommended."
C) "Because it increases blood flow and boosts the circulation, working out on a regular basis is highly recommended."

I'm sorry for making this thread drag on!

 

[teechar]

Out of those, only "C" works for me.

 

[Tarheel]

Um, "blood flow" and "circulation" are the same thing. Try:

Working out on a regular basis improves circulation.

Or:

Working out regularly improves circulation.

 

[Tdol]

You could also use through in your original sentence.