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'I went home by a taxi', permissible?

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Anonymous  #304350  Fri, 15 Dec 06 09:52 PM
I know an article 'a' is not used when referred to as a mean of transportation, so 'I went home by taxi.' is widely used, but sometimes, I see phrases like 'I went home by a taxi.'. Is it grammatically incorrect, or can it be used, but with a different context? Thank you.
  
Marius Hancu  #304405  Sat, 16 Dec 06 12:11 AM
Yours isn't too idiomatical. Try:

I took a taxi home.
  
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Clive  #304421  Sat, 16 Dec 06 03:02 AM

Hi,

You could also say 'I went home in a taxi'.

Clive

  
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Anonymous  #304532  Sat, 16 Dec 06 03:35 PM

 Marius Hancu wrote:
Yours isn't too idiomatical. Try:

I took a taxi home.

being too idiomatical is not a good thing.

  
Anonymous  #304625  Sat, 16 Dec 06 09:55 PM

Hello, this is the OP. Thank you for your replies, but syntax was the least of the worry for me. I know the sentense itself isn't very idiomatical, but I am more concerned about whether an article a or an can be allocated between 'by' and 'taxi', when we know fully well articles are not used when referred to as means of achievements, such as transportation. I could have easily asked "Is 'Woman robbed at a knife point' correct?" and the logic would still have stayed the same. This was actually a question from a student and we, among the staffs, had a bit of debate on this question, so I was forwarding the same question here, so I would be grateful if by is kept as is, as that is very important to the context of this question, thank you.

'I went home by taxi.' <-- no problem

'I went home by a stolen car.' <-- again, no problem, although it will no longer mean as a method of transportation.

'I went home by a taxi.' <-- This is what I'm wondering about. Many grammar texts mention an article must not be in place, and I need a confirmation! lol 

  
Clive  #304644  Sat, 16 Dec 06 11:46 PM

Hi,

No, don't put an article. It's a general kind of reference, not to any particular taxi or knife point.

Best wishes, Clive

  
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