grip someone by + body part
Holding a specific part of the body
By identifies the body part being held.
She gripped the child by the wrist.
Grip by or grip with?
Grip can appear with both by and with, but they express different ideas. By identifies the part held, while with identifies the body part or tool used to hold something.
Quick answer
Use by for the part held and with for the means
Grip someone by the arm means hold that specific body part. Grip with your hands means use your hands or another tool to hold something.
The guard gripped him by the shoulder.
She gripped the rail with both hands.
He gripped the handle with a gloved hand.
She gripped the rail with both hands.
He gripped the handle with a gloved hand.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
grip something with + body part/tool
Showing what is used to hold something
With introduces the means used for gripping.
He gripped the rope with both hands.
grip tightly
Describing the strength of a grip
Grip is often used with adverbs instead of a prepositional phrase.
She gripped tightly during the turbulence.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
grip someone by the arm
The officer gripped him by the arm.
By identifies the body part held.
grip something with both hands
She gripped the wheel with both hands.
With identifies the means used for gripping.
grip by something
Grip the pan by the handle.
Standard when identifying the part used to pick up or hold an object.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Confusing the holder and the thing held
By refers to the part being held, while with refers to the means of holding.
✕ She gripped him with the arm. ✓ She gripped him by the arm.Using by for the instrument
Use with to name hands or tools used for gripping.
✕ He gripped the bar by both hands. ✓ He gripped the bar with both hands.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The mother gripped the child ___ the hand.
2. He gripped the ladder ___ both hands.
3. Grip the suitcase ___ the handle.
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Frequently asked questions
Can grip be used without a preposition?
Yes. For example: He gripped the rope firmly.
Why do we say grip by the arm?
By identifies the body part or section that is being held.
Can I say grip with fingers?
Yes. With can introduce body parts or tools used for gripping.
Related preposition guides
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