Please correct grammar

[shakeelsmail]

May i know which of these is correct;

Your presence is a gift in itself
or
Your presence is a gift by itself

[Tortoise]

Hi,

I think we simply don't use a preposition in this sentence. You can say: Your presence is a gift itself. But if you want to use a preposition, I don't know which one is true. I think "by" is more acceptable.

Corect me, if I'm wrong. Thanks.

[Alan]

Hi Shakeelsmail,

In itself usually means the same as intrinsically - in other words the thing completely. You could be talking about something that has happened like an accident which in itself is not serious but it could have an effect on other people. By itself usually means automatically. You can program an electric light to come on and go off by itself.
Alan
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English as a Second Language
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