The many variations of 由 and 以。

[rastafeyd]

Hi,

I was hoping to get an explanation on the uses of 由 and 以。They both have several uses, but I hope everyone can help me better understand these two words. In my readings they have consistently left me confused in their uses. Granted I do understand the 由。。。组成 structure, but the uses of these two are confusing.

My apologizes if there are already posts for these two. Unfortunately I wasn't able to find them, so if you could point me to them too I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

Mike

[leeyah]

Here's what I know

由

1) noun: reason, cause

原由：因由 cause, reason, 事由origin, cause of a matter，理由 reason, ground for ...

means the same as 由于 because of, due to, owing to (usually negative context)

is often used in phrases like:

必由之路 the only way

事不由己 things are getting out of hand/beyond control

2) preposition:

take the position of, assume the role of

由...负责 by 学费由他负责 he will cover the costs of tuition (lit.:take financial responsibility) for ...

队长由你担任 you('ll) be the team-captain

by means of: 由 ....组成 consisting of, composed of

indicating starting point: 由北京出发 set off from BJ

以 is a bit more difficult to explain and is best learned through context:

basically it's meaning would be the same with 用

他以微笑欢迎我 he welcomed me with a smile

or

by means of:以少胜多 or

according to 以次就坐 take seats in order or

because of: 何以知之？ how do you know? (from classical Chinese)

or

in phrases like 难以+adj hard to：

结果难以预料 it is hard to tell in advance

so as to, in order to:

以防 used to prevent：以防万一

以免 in order to prevent

以...为... take as ... (把 ...当...)

以...为目的 with the intention of

代之以 replaced by