What better way to show him you're interested in him than by getting him a present?
What better way to show him you're interested in him than with a present?
Do both the sentences mean the same thing?
asked Aug 14, 2017 at 3:04
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1The two sentences do mean the same thing; In the second the 'with' sort of implies the act of getting and giving the present. I'll wait and see if anyone can give a more technical answer!– 13509Aug 14, 2017 at 7:46
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2 Answers
The sentences don't mean the exact same thing but do have a certain equality. The first sentence has a distinct action while the second one can either mean what the first sentence means or something completely different.
As a non-native speaker I'd rephrase the sentences. However, aa TRomano states it's perfectly correct the way it is:
- What better way is there to show him you're interested in him other than by getting him a present?
- What better way is there to show him you're interested in him other than with a present?
answered Aug 14, 2017 at 8:01
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You started out fine, but the answer went south. OP's two sentences are perfectly idiomatic. BTW, the action is "to show him you are interested", not "to interest him".– TimRAug 14, 2017 at 11:15
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This construction is very common in product ads, especially around gift-giving holidays: What better way to tell him you love him than with a box of stainless steel nails from Acme Building Products?– TimRAug 14, 2017 at 11:18
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@Tᴚoɯɐuo I didn't know that. Without is there it seems completely wrong. Aug 14, 2017 at 11:20
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@Tᴚoɯɐuo Indeed, thnx. Strangely, it still feels very awkward. I prefer What better way is there to Aug 14, 2017 at 11:27
Both sentences are grammatical and are practically synonymous though grammatically slightly different.
They open with a rhetorical question "What better way [exists] to {do something} than {instrumental phrase}.
Instrumental phrases using with or by:
show ... by {doing} something
show ... with {something}
You can show your teacher you're a serious student by studying.
You can show your teacher you're a serious student with study.
What better way to show your teacher you're a serious student than by studying?
What better way to show your teacher you're a serious student than with study?
