Mr.Maru: Are you ready for the big trip to Doggy World?
Sparky: You bet. I packed some extra dog treats.
Mr.Maru: I thought I locked the dog treat cabinet.
Sparky: You did. Anyway, let's go to Doggy World through subway.
Mr.Maru: Mmm, through? You mean BY subway?
Sparky: Um, yeah. Or, do you want to go via highway?
Mr.Maru: That is better. I don't think they like us on the subway. Do you remember last time?
Sparky: That guy had a bacon sandwich and I was hungry. People shouldn't just walk around with bacon sandwiches!

What is the difference between via, through and by? When do we use via and when do we use through? These words have very different meanings. Let's talk about some examples.

Via definition

The word via has two main meanings. The first definition is 'by way of'. For example,

I flew to Australia via Bangkok. I went by way of Bangkok.
I drove to Tokyo via Nagoya.

Via also has another meaning 'by means of'. For example,

I sent the invoice via email. I sent an email with the invoice in it.
I talked to him via satellite. I used a satellite to talk to him.

Through definition

The word through has slightly different definitions. The main definition of 'through' is to go in one end or side and out the other. For example,

He went through the tunnel. He entered the one side of the tunnel and left out the other side.
Jane walked through the door. She entered one side of the door and left out the other side.

It also has the meaning of 'by way of' or 'by means or agency of'. For example,

He bought the car through a used dealership.
He learned English through hard work.

Via vs. Through

Via and through both have the definition of 'by means of' or 'by way of', but we use via and through with different kinds of words. The word 'through' is used more often. We use it more generally. We can use it with the words like window, door, glass, air, time, water, process, or trees. For example,

Joe ran through the door.
The boat sailed through the water.

The word 'via' is used more often with communication pathways. We can it use it with words like email, computer, phone, fax, web, internet, or satellite. For example,

George sent her the report via fax.
Jenny published her report via the internet.

By definition

The word 'by' has a definition of 'with the use of, or help of'. We use it often with modes of transportation. For example,

I'm going to the concert by subway.
Dr. Smithers came to the conference by private jet.

Be careful! It is also okay to use the word 'via' for modes of transportation. For example,

Jenny went to the party via subway.

This sentence sounds a little formal and not very natural though.

Do you think you understand? Let's take a short quiz

1) Alfred sent the picture _______ email to the publisher.

A) via
B) through
C) by

2) Brad traveled from the airport to his hotel _______ taxi.

A) via
B) through
C) by

3) My cat jumped ______ the window to chase the mouse.

A) via
B) through
C) by

Answers

1) A) is the best answer, but B) and C) are sometimes used.
2) C) is the best answer, but A) is also sometimes used.
3) B) - My cat went in one side of the window and left out the other side.

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