conjunctions - You can pay by credit card or "by" cash

Which one of the following is correct?

• 
  

  You can pay by credit card or by cash.

  
  


• 
  

  You can pay by credit card or cash.

  
  

Answer

Either one is arguably correct: if the two items take the same preposition, you don't have to repeat it, and it's actually slightly more fluent-sounding not to repeat it. For example,

• I am going to the museum and (to) the zoo.


• Julia was accompanied by Arnold and (by) Zoe.

However, "pay by cash" isn't very common; we usually say you pay with cash or in cash.

It's also possible to say "pay with a credit card." So other possible alternatives are

• You can pay by credit card or with cash.


• You can pay by credit card or in cash.


• You can pay with a credit card or cash.