[Grammar] Usage of "by" with means of transport

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milan2003_07

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Jan 7, 2011
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Russian
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Hi,

We all know about the usage of the preposition "by" in expressions like "travel by car", "go by train", "arrive by hydrofoil", etc. However very often we also need to add an adjective describing a vehicle like "a white car", "a fast hydrofoil", etc. Do we need to change the preposition in this case?

1) Travel by a white car / Travel in a white car
2) Go by a fast plane / Go on a fast plane
3) Arrive by a big hydrofoil / Arrive on a big hydrofoil

Does the preposition change?

Thanks
 

bhaisahab

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Apr 12, 2008
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British English
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England
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Hi,

We all know about the usage of the preposition "by" in expressions like "travel by car", "go by train", "arrive by hydrofoil", etc. However very often we also need to add an adjective describing a vehicle like "a white car", "a fast hydrofoil", etc. Do we need to change the preposition in this case?

1) Travel by a white car / Travel in a white car
2) Go by a fast plane / Go on a fast plane
3) Arrive by a big hydrofoil / Arrive on a big hydrofoil

Does the preposition change?

Thanks

Yes, the preposition changes because of the article.
 
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