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What does by, through or under means here??

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Latest post Sun, Nov 23 2008 7:53 PM by Anonymous. 4 replies.
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Anonymous  +  591964 Sun, 23 Nov 08 04:20 PM
"I covenant not to sue, City, its departments, commissions, officers, directors and employees, and all persons acting by, through or under each of them."

What does by, through or under means here??

Does it mean: according to, by the agency of, and under the orders of?

Can you reformulate so it is easier to understand?
Anonymous
Clive  +  592039 Sun, 23 Nov 08 05:18 PM
Hi,
Generally speaking, only lawyers understand such language and preopistion usage in detail.

Ordinary people who read this just think I agree not to sue anybody connected in any way with the city.

Best wishes, Clive
Clive
Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004
Canada
Veteran Member 29,583
El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo
Related discussions
Anonymous, 363 days ago
What makes this difficult to understand is the fact that by and through are synonyms.
Clive  +  592173 Sun, 23 Nov 08 07:48 PM
Hi,

What makes this difficult to understand is the fact that by and through are synonyms.

You think so?

It was done by the city. Sounds like city employees did it.

It was done through the city. Sounds possible that the city arranged for non-city employees to do it.


Anyway, lawyers like to write with what seems to be repetition and redundancy.

Clive
Clive
Anonymous, 363 days ago

Clive
“Hi,

What makes this difficult to understand is the fact that by and through are synonyms.

You think so?

It was done by the city. Sounds like city employees did it.

It was done through the city. Sounds possible that the city arranged for non-city employees to do it.


Anyway, lawyers like to write with what seems to be repetition and redundancy.

Clive
”


These are two passive constructions. I should have said sometimes depending on the context.

By and through can both mean: with the use or help of; through.
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