swim the backstroke vs. swim with the backstroke

[Phoo]

Which one is the most acceptable expression grammatically?

1. I can swim backstroke.
2. I can swim the backstroke.
3. I can swim with the backstroke.
4. I can swim with backstroke.

If all of them are acceptable, what is the defference?

Thanks!

[Pamela]

I'd only choose I can swim the backstroke or I can backstroke

[Yankee]

Hi Phoo

Both 1 and 2 are fine.
You can also replace the word "swim" with the word "do".

I don't agree with Pamela's "I can backstroke." Though I'm sure I would understand it in context, it sounds odd to me.

Using the word 'the' focuses more on backstroke as a particular stroke. To be honest, though, I think I'd usually leave out the word 'the'.
_________________
Amy
.
ESL teacher, and native speaker of American English

[Phoo]

So you've never used or heard "with" in this case?

[Haihao]

If you have to apply 'with' to 'backstroke', I wonder if the following sentence could be possible:

Swimming and playing with backstroke the instructor can show you the correct and detailed movement in backstroke.

I am not sure though.

Haihao

[Phoo]

Thanks anyway.

[Pamela]

Amy, why do you find I can backstroke odd if backstroke can also perform a function of a verb (some dictionaries define the word as a verb too).

[Haihao]

My two cents is, it could be odd to apply a word, a phrase or any expression mechanically to its grammatically possible situation. For example, you would feel alright to say 'I can make a phone call' but you wouldn't feel very comfortable to say 'I can phone' even if 'phone' could be an intransitive verb. I think that's why Amy used the word 'odd'.

Haihao