Words Students Confuse - way of and way to
ScottsEnglish
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A student recently wrote, "I could not find a different way to doing it."
This sentence is incorrect, and should be, "I could not find a different way to do it", or "I could not find a different way of doing it."
Both "way of" and "way to" have similar meanings. They mean "a different road, manner or mode of action."
For example, "If you cannot find the right word, think of an alternative way to express your thought", or "If you cannot find the right word, think of an alternative way of expressing your thought."
When using "way of", just remember to follow it with a verb +ing (way of doing, way of saying); when using "way to", follow the expression with a verb in the infinitive form, (way to do, way to say).
The best way to learn how to use these forms is to use them in your own writing!
This sentence is incorrect, and should be, "I could not find a different way to do it", or "I could not find a different way of doing it."
Both "way of" and "way to" have similar meanings. They mean "a different road, manner or mode of action."
For example, "If you cannot find the right word, think of an alternative way to express your thought", or "If you cannot find the right word, think of an alternative way of expressing your thought."
When using "way of", just remember to follow it with a verb +ing (way of doing, way of saying); when using "way to", follow the expression with a verb in the infinitive form, (way to do, way to say).
The best way to learn how to use these forms is to use them in your own writing!
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