When discussing "prepositions of agency" in English grammar, we're primarily concerned with how we indicate who or what is performing an action, particularly in passive voice constructions. Here's a breakdown:
Core Concept:
* Prepositions of agency show the agent (the doer) of an action.
Key Prepositions:
* by:
* This is the most common preposition of agency.
* It's used to indicate the person or thing that performs an action.
* Especially common in passive voice.
* Example: "The book was written by the author."
* with:
* While "by" denotes the agent, "with" can sometimes indicate the instrument or means by which an action is carried out. This can cause some overlap in definitions.
* example: "The door was opened with a key."
Important Considerations:
* Passive Voice:
* Prepositions of agency are most frequently encountered in passive voice sentences.
* In a passive sentence, the subject receives the action, and the agent is introduced with a preposition.
* Agent vs. Instrument:
* It's important to distinguish between the agent (the person or thing that performs the action) and the instrument (the tool or means used to perform the action).
* "by" is used for the agent.
* "with" can be used for the instrument.
In essence, prepositions of agency help us understand who or what is responsible for an action, particularly when the sentence is structured in the passive voice.
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