Correct Usage of 'Have Been Fascinated By' or 'Have Been Fascinated With'

When crafting sentences in English, especially in professional or academic writing, precision in language is critical. The correct phrase to use when expressing that someone has been fascinated by or with something is either 'have been fascinated by' or 'have been fascinated with'.

Understanding the Grammar Context

Both 'by' and 'with' have specific grammatical roles. 'By' is used to indicate an agent, while 'with' indicates an instrument. Even when using a machine or tool as an agent, or when multiple real agents are involved, there are specific rules to observe. Letrsquo;s break down these rules and provide clearer examples to help you avoid common errors.

The Role of 'By'

When using 'by', it implies a real agent. For example, saying 'Mary was hit by John with a car' would be grammatically incorrect. The correct sentence should specify a real agent, such as 'Mary was hit by John and Seymour'. However, if a machine is impersonating an agent, as in the hypothetical case of 'Mary was hit by a car that malfunctioned', the machine itself does not have an agency.

The Role of 'With'

When using 'with', it indicates the use of an instrument or tool. This instrument can be a machine or a real object, but it does not imply real agency. For example, 'Mary was hit with a ball' indicates that the ball was the instrument, but it is the player who does the actual hitting.

Examples of Correct Usage

The correct usage of 'have been fascinated by' and 'have been fascinated with' can be seen in the following examples:

Example 1: 'Have been fascinated by'

'I have been fascinated by the intricate details of the historical artifacts' implies that you have been captivated by the beauty and complexity of these artifacts, where the agent, you, is doing the fascinating.

Example 2: 'Have been fascinated with'

'We have been fascinated with the emerging technologies in artificial intelligence' indicates that you and others have found the technologies fascinating, where the technologies are the object of fascination.

Incorrect Usage and Their Correct Replacements

Incorrect constructions like 'have been fascinating by' or 'have been fascinating with' do not adhere to the grammatical rules in English. Instead, you should use 'have been fascinated by' or 'have been fascinated with'. Similarly, using 'fascinating' as a passive verb, such as 'I have found her to be a fascinating woman' or 'I have found the movie fascinating', is grammatically correct and preferred over the passive constructions.

Real-life Contexts for Usage

Understanding how to use these phrases correctly can significantly enhance the clarity and professionalism of your writing. Here are some real-life scenarios where these phrases might come in handy:

Scenario 1: Academic Research

In an academic paper, you might write: 'I have been fascinated by the extensive research demonstrating the impact of climate change on wildlife'. This sentence clearly conveys that you have found the research exciting and compelling.

Scenario 2: Describing a Personal Experience

When recounting a personal experience, you could say: 'We have been fascinated with the different cultures and cuisines we encountered during our travels' to indicate that the cultures and cuisines captured your interest.

Scenario 3: Professional Description

In a professional setting, you might write: 'I have been fascinated by the innovative solutions proposed in the teamrsquo;s recent project'. This phrase clearly expresses your excitement and engagement with the projectrsquo;s ideas.

Conclusion

To summarize, the correct phrases to use are 'have been fascinated by' or 'have been fascinated with'. Understanding the distinction between 'by' and 'with' in this context is crucial for accurate and effective English communication. By mastering these nuances, you can avoid common grammatical errors and enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.