She sent a message with John to say that she couldn't come.

Status
Not open for further replies.

JACEK1

Key Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2013
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
Polish
Home Country
Poland
Current Location
Poland
Hello everybody!
She sent a message with John to say that she couldn't come.
The above sentence is taken from Cambridge Dictionaries Online, entry: to send = to cause something to go from one place to another, especially by post.

What I don't understand is why "with" is used. Shouldn't "through" or "by" be used instead?

She sent a message through John to say that she couldn't come.

She sent a message by John to say that she couldn't come.

Is it about collocation?

I would be grateful for a reply.

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/send_1?q=send
 

bhaisahab

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 12, 2008
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
England
Current Location
Ireland
Hello everybody!
She sent a message with John to say that she couldn't come.
The above sentence is taken from Cambridge Dictionaries Online, entry: to send = to cause something to go from one place to another, especially by post.

What I don't understand is why "with" is used. Shouldn't "through" or "by" be used instead?

She sent a message through John to say that she couldn't come.

She sent a message by John to say that she couldn't come.

Is it about collocation?

I would be grateful for a reply.

send verb (POST) - definition in British English Dictionary & Thesaurus - Cambridge Dictionary Online

You could use "through" as well. It doesn't work with "by".
 

billmcd

Key Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2009
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
Literally, for John to carry the message with him either mentally or in written form.
 

Tdol

No Longer With Us (RIP)
Staff member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
Japan
It implies that John was going there anyway and that her message was an additional element rather than the reason for him going there.
 

BobK

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 29, 2006
Location
Spencers Wood, near Reading, UK
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
:up: And 'with' would work if it was a written message - and not just John saying 'She sends her apologies'.

b
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top