The thief broke the window by a hammer vs The thief broke the window with a hammer

The phrase 'the thief broke the window with a hammer' is correct, while 'the thief broke the window by a hammer' is incorrect. The preposition 'with' is used to indicate the tool or instrument used to perform an action.

Last updated: March 30, 2024 • 3991 views

This phrase is incorrect in English.

"The thief broke the window by a hammer"

The preposition 'by' is not used to indicate the tool or instrument used to perform an action. Instead, 'by' is used to show the method or manner in which an action is done.

Show examples from the web [+]

It was yesterday that I broke the window by mistake.
Working theory is the thief broke in to steal the painting.
I just saw a cat with a hammer jumping out the window.
The windows are to be broken with a hammer.
A hammer was used to break the window.
One through the window by the door.
Probably better than dangling him out the window by his ankles.
Probably better than dangling him out the window by his ankles.
I saw a shade move in the window by the door.
Move the window by this amount of pixels for every press on one of the cursor keys.
I think that Ekrem was killed and thrown away from the window by a more powerful person.
Ginger broke the window Broke the window, crack
The thief breaks through the window and then cleans out the place.
Probably broke the window with his elbow before firing down at Cameron.
Tom is the one who broke the window yesterday.
It was Jack that broke the window yesterday.
A storm broke the window pane last Thursday.
I broke the window and jumped out.
He broke the window to get in.
They think it broke the window to get in.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"The thief broke the window with a hammer"

The preposition 'with' is used to indicate the tool or instrument used to perform an action. In this case, it specifies that a hammer was used to break the window.

Examples:

She opened the can with a knife.
He fixed the car with a wrench.
She cut the paper with scissors.
He painted the wall with a brush.
They cooked dinner with a stove.

Show examples from the web [+]

Probably broke the window with his elbow before firing down at Cameron.
Working theory is the thief broke in to steal the painting.
I am so sorry, my son broke the window with the fireplace poker.
I just saw a cat with a hammer jumping out the window.
The windows are to be broken with a hammer.
A hammer was used to break the window.
You were looking and knocking on the window with your finger.
Try to smash the window with it.
We'll lower it out the window with pulleys.
Lets you move the window with your mouse.
And there was someone in the window with her.
I live right over there... the window with the curtains.
Going to the window with meat.
We've replaced the windows with bulletproof glass.
You should have them reinforce the windows with bars or something.
I saw him there in the window with her.
That's the window with the best view.
And sit staring out the window with a bottle of Jack Daniels.
Just keep watching out the window with the tree, baby.
At least tell me you covered the windows with trash bags.

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The thief broke the window by a hammer vs The thief broke the window with a hammer