有这样一道题，请看看：

Every possible means ________ been tried，and we find only ________ this means can we do it well.

A. have，in              B. have，by           C. has，in           D. has，by

此题应选 D。其余几项均容易被误选。这里主要涉及名词means(方式，方法，手段)的用法与搭配：

1. 单复数同形(永远有词尾-s)。若用作主语，其谓语的数需根据句意来确定。比较：

All possible means have been tried. 所有可能的办法都已经试过了。

Every possible means has been tried. 每种可能的办法都已经试过了。

若句意不能明确地表明主语的单复数，其谓语则用单数或复数均可：

Is [Are] there any other means of doing it? 做这事还有其他的什么办法吗?

2. 表示以某种方式、方法或手段，用介词by：

Only by this means can you do it well. 只有通过这种办法你才能做好此事。

有时用 by means of，意为：用……，依靠……：

Thoughts are expressed by means of words. 思想靠语言来表达。

3. 表示做某事的方法或手段，多接“of＋(动)名词”：

But they had no means of cooking them. 但是他们没有办法来把它们煮熟。

Taking a plane is the quickest means of getting there. 去那儿最快的办法是坐飞机。