Through:
* Indicates a process, journey, or passage. It suggests movement from one point to another, often involving an intermediary.
* Implies that something happens as a result of a continuous action or series of actions.
Examples:
* "I learned about coding through online courses." (The process of learning coding involved online courses.)
* "The mailman delivered the package through the back door." (The package was delivered by physically moving through the back door.)
* "He succeeded through hard work and dedication." (His success was achieved by a continuous effort of hard work and dedication.)
By:
* Indicates the agent or instrument that causes something. It emphasizes the person or thing responsible for an action.
* Can also indicate a means or method, but often implies a more direct or immediate action.
Examples:
* "The book was written by a famous author." (The author is responsible for writing the book.)
* "I paid for the coffee by credit card." (The credit card was the instrument used to make the payment.)
* "He won the game by scoring the winning goal." (The winning goal directly led to his victory.)
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | Through | By |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Process, journey, passage | Agent, instrument, direct action |
| Implication | Continuous action or series of actions | Direct cause or action |
| Example | Learned through experience | Achieved by hard work |
In conclusion:
"Through" implies a continuous process or journey, while "by" indicates a direct cause or agent.
Choose the appropriate word based on whether you want to emphasize the method, process, or the responsible agent.