(1) by means of 意思是“用……；依靠……；凭借……”，等于by using sth. or some method, with the help of sth.后接名词，不接动名词。

• We had to enter the house through the window by means of a ladder.
  我们不得不借助梯子从窗户进入屋内。
• Human beings can express their thoughts by means of speech, but other animals can not.
  人类可以借助语言表达自己的思想，但其他动物却不能。

 (2) by doing sth.是“通过……；以……方式或手段(做成某事)”。

• You can learn to speak fluent English by practicing more.
  你可以通过多多练习学会讲一口流利的英语。
• You can't hope to gain anything by just sitting idle all day and waiting.
  你整天只是闲坐着等，是不可能得到任何东西的。

 (3) by sth.也可以表示“手段，方式”，意为“通过……；用……；以……”，有时可译作“由于……”。

• Sometimes you have to choose an answer to a question by guess .
  有时你必须通过猜测来选出一个问题的答案。
• I really hope that they can settle their disputes by direct peaceful negotiation .
  我真希望他们能通过直接的和平谈判解决他们的争端。
• I seriously wounded her feelings by mere negligence.
  我仅仅由于疏忽就严重地伤害了她的感情。

 (4) by way of可以表示：

①“取道，经由，经过(某种发展过程)”。

• I can easily come home by way of the post office and post the letter for you.
  我在回家的路上经过邮局时帮你把信寄了，很方便。
• Are you going to London by way of Moscow?
  你打算取道莫斯科去伦敦吗？

②“作为……”，常接greeting, apology, a joke, example, introduction, an excuse, (an) insult, payment, justification, holiday, supporting evidence等名词。

• By way of example, he cited the heroic deeds of the army and people in fighting the serious floods last summer.
  作为例子，他列举了去年夏天军民与严重洪涝灾害奋战的英雄事迹。
• What are you thinking of going to Beijing to stay (for) a few days by way of a holiday this year?
  说到今年的休假，你觉得去北京住上几天怎么样？

③“为了……”，后接名词、动名词。

• They have specially come to our factory by way of exchanging experiences with us.
  为了与我们交流经验，他们专程来到我们厂。