Question about で

palroj · 4 Aug 2017

Hello,
I recently saw this phrase in a warning sign:

みんなで川・公園を美しく！雨の日は、川の水が急に増えて危ないので、入らないで下さい。

I understand the general sense of the phrase, but don't quite get the use of the で particle in the beginning: みんなで

What's it doing there? I suspect it's being used in a "by means of" sense. As in "英語で話す" or "箸で食べる". Is it something like people make the river/park beautiful? Ie, is it "by means of the people('s actions)" that the river/park is beautiful?

Thanks

Toritoribe · 4 Aug 2017

で indicates the state there.
e.g.
ひとりで働く
to work alone

小さな声で話す
to talk in a small voice

笑顔で挨拶をする
to greet with smiling

I would translate it "Keep the river and park clean with everyone".

palroj · 4 Aug 2017

Thanks for the reply.

Would it be incorrect to say みんなと instead of みんなで to convey the idea that it's "with everyone" ?

Toritoribe · 5 Aug 2017

みんなと suggests the existence of the subject. Someone is saying that he/she does so together with everyone. で indicates the state, as I wrote, so みんなで means to do so with all the people together, not with the speaker/writer.

palroj · 5 Aug 2017

Cool I see now, thanks for the help

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