way
‘way’
You use way to refer to the thing or series of things that someone does in order to achieve a particular result. You can talk about a way of doing something or a way to do it. There is no difference in meaning.
This is the most effective way of helping the unemployed.
What is the best way to help a child with reading problems?
Be careful
If you use a possessive with way, you must use of and an -ing form after it.
If you use a possessive with way, you must use of and an -ing form after it.
I have to fit in with her way of doing things.
They are part of the author's way of telling his story.
Be careful
Don't use a to-infinitive. Don't say, for example, ‘I have to fit in with her way to do things’.
Don't use a to-infinitive. Don't say, for example, ‘I have to fit in with her way to do things’.
‘means’
You don't usually use a noun after ‘way of’ when you are saying how something is done or achieved. For example, you don't refer to something as a ‘way of transport’. The word you use is means.
The main means of transport on the island was the donkey.
Drums can be used as a means of communication.
used for describing manner
You can say that something is done in a particular way.
The play was performed in a very interesting way.
She smiled in a friendly way.
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You usually say this way or that way without using ‘in’.
Let's do it this way.
It's easier to do it that way.
You can also omit ‘in’ when you are using the or a possessive.
We don't look at things the same way.
I'm going to handle this my way.
used with relative clauses
When the way is followed by a defining relative clause, this clause can be either a that-clause or a clause beginning with in which. For example, you can say ‘the way she told the story’, ‘the way that she told the story’, or ‘the way in which she told the story’. There is no difference in meaning.
It's the way they used to do it.
I was shocked by the way in which they treated their animals.