现在分词与“by+动名词”均作方式状语时之不同

有读者问: 现在分词用作方式状语和by+v-ing用作方式状语二者有何区别?

一般说来,现在分词用作方式状语时,强调方式,具有描写性,如:

(1)She stared unseeing at the wall.

(2)He died a glorious death fighting the bandits.

而by+-ing(动名词)则强调手段,动名词表一动作,如:

(3)Most people live by working .

(4)I solved the problem by accusing the man of being corrupt.

但有时现在分词亦可表手段,如:

(5)She lives about half an hour away walking .(现在分词walking在此显然表手段,但其前并未用by)