Expressing Manner or Means

Expressing Manner or Means – Linking Words and Expressions

Expressing Manner or Means

Hello dear English learners! In today’s lesson, we’re looking at a very useful area of English: linking words and expressions that show manner or means. These expressions help you explain how something happens or the method someone uses to achieve something. They’re incredibly useful in everyday communication, storytelling, and formal writing — especially if you’re preparing for the Cambridge B2 First (FCE) or C1 Advanced (CAE) exam. Expressing Manner or Means

Let’s explore them step by step.

Using “by” to show method or means

The preposition by is one of the most common ways to explain how something is done.

Typical patterns: by + noun or by + -ing form

Examples:

• She travelled to London by train.
• I found the restaurant by chance.
• He improved his English by reading every day.
• The email was sent by mistake.
• The cakes were made by hand, not in a factory.

This structure works beautifully in both formal and informal contexts.

Using “with” and “without”

These expressions show the tool, instrument, or quality used (or not used) to do something.

Examples:

• Please handle the equipment with care.
• She welcomed the guests with enthusiasm.
• He completed the report with ease.
• She accepted the offer without hesitation.
• They finished the task without difficulty.

This group is especially useful for describing attitudes and behaviour. Expressing Manner or Means

Using “through” to show a process

The preposition through explains the process or method that leads to a result. It sounds a little more formal.

Examples:

• You learn a language through practice.
• They achieved success through patience and dedication.
• She got the promotion through hard work alone.

Using “in a… manner/way”

A very handy structure for formal writing and exam tasks.

Examples:

• The interviews were conducted in a professional manner.
• She answered the question in a polite way.
• They left the building in a hurry.
• He spoke in a confident manner, which impressed the panel.

You’ll see this style often in academic or formal reports. Expressing Manner or Means

Adverbs of manner

Adverbs are the simplest way to express how something happens. They often end in -ly.

Examples:

• The children listened carefully.
• She greeted us cheerfully.
• He apologised politely.
• The event ran smoothly from start to finish.
• The traffic moved slowly this morning.

These are indispensable in descriptions and narratives.

“As if” / “As though”

These expressions show the appearance or impression of an action.

Examples:

• She looked at me as if she didn’t believe a word.
• He sings as though he were on a big stage.
• The cat behaves as if it owns the house!

Great for adding colour and personality to your writing.

Using “like” for informal comparisons

This is the conversational way to express manner. Expressing Manner or Means

Examples:

• She sings like a professional.
• He eats like he’s starving.
• They ran like the wind.

Perfect for stories, anecdotes, and informal writing.

Using “according to…”

We use this to show that something is done following instructions, rules, or a plan.

Examples:

• Please arrange the files according to the categories.
• He decorated the room according to his own taste.
• We’re marking the tests according to the official criteria.

“The way…” / “in the same way…”

These expressions describe manner by linking an action to a model or example.

Examples:

• She cooks the way her grandmother taught her.
• I completed the task the way you suggested.
• They celebrated in the same way every year.

Learners find this structure very natural and memorable.

Using “via” for formal means

This is common in written communication, especially in business English. Expressing Manner or Means

Examples:

• Please send the documents via email.
• They travelled to Paris via Brussels.
• All bookings must be made via the website.

Learning how to express manner or means is a bit like learning the secret “behind the scenes” language of English — the small details that make everything flow. Once you start noticing these expressions, you’ll see them everywhere: in stories, emails, interviews, films, and even those long instructions nobody ever reads.

So, try them out in your own writing. Mix them into your next FCE essay, slip them into a work email, or use them the next time you tell a friend how you accidentally ate the whole cake by mistake (it happens to the best of us).

The more intentionally you use these expressions, the more naturally they’ll become part of your voice. And that’s how you turn good English into great English — one well-chosen phrase at a time.

If you really want to learn English but don’t know how to do it and where to start, don’t hesitate to contact us. Book an online English lesson with one of our certified and experienced English teachers and take a test and consultation! Tap the banner to learn more!