a custom by which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a custom by which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a specific tradition or practice that is followed in a particular context or culture. Example: "In many cultures, there is a custom by which families gather for a meal during the holidays."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The levirate, a custom by which a widow marries her deceased husband's brother, was fairly common.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We have developed and applied a complete SNP mask using all of the PARC SNPs found by our custom HTS, which allowed us to rigorously assess differential expression between the D2 and B6 strains.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Set mostly in the 1840's, this is the story of the free people of color of New Orleans, in the era of the quadroon ball and plaçage, the custom by which a wealthy white man chooses a part-African mistress and sets her up in a lifelong financial and residential arrangement.

The New York Times - Arts

In many Saudi child marriages, girls are given away to older men in return for dowries, or following the custom by which a father promises his daughters and sons in marriage while still children.

The Guardian

F.G.M. — otherwise known as female circumcision or female genital cutting (or, in certain contexts, simply "cutting") — is the custom by which a girl's external genitalia (almost always the clitoris) is removed in order to preserve her "modesty".

The New Yorker

Considering the observation of our own mild clemency and eternal custom, by which we are accustomed to grant clemency to all people, we have decided to extend our most speedy indulgence to these people as well, so that Christians may once more establish their own meeting places, so long as they do not act in a disorderly way.

Wikipedia

In the battle of the sexes, there are the formal rules -- the rich variety of variously heeded laws and customs by which each society tries to constrain reproductive behavior.

The New York Times - Science

In each culture, we find different institutions in which man pursues his life-interest, different customs by which he satisfies his aspirations, different codes of law and morality which reward his virtues or punish his defections".

BMC Medical Education

Cones were identified using a custom algorithm, which operated by applying a Gaussian bandpass filter to the en face images, computing the watershed [ 29] of the complement (negative) image, and filtering the watershed basins by basin size and basin total intensity.

Biomedical Optics Express

We based the communication on a custom protocol, which is abstracted by a proxy server based on standard HTTPS protocol.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The optical fibers and channel are aligned using a custom holder, which is fabricated by creating alignment grooves in a silicon chip via photolithography and reactive ion etching.

Biomedical Optics Express

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a custom by which", ensure the sentence clearly explains the specific action or outcome that results from following the custom.

Common error

Ensure the phrase is followed by a clear and concise explanation of what the custom entails. Vague or incomplete explanations can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a custom by which" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, typically describing a tradition or practice. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a custom by which" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a tradition or practice, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While relatively rare in occurrence, the phrase is versatile enough for use in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. Remember to clearly explain the custom being referenced to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "a tradition wherein" or "a practice through which" can provide similar meaning while varying your word choice. Use the phrase thoughtfully to enhance clarity and precision in your writing. The phrase functions primarily to introduce and explain a specific tradition, detailing the manner of enactment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tradition wherein

Focuses on a specific tradition while replacing "by which" with "wherein" to indicate the context in which the tradition occurs.

a practice through which

Emphasizes the process or means by which something is done, using "practice" instead of "custom".

a convention whereby

Replaces "custom" with "convention", highlighting an agreed-upon set of rules or behaviors.

an established way of

Simplifies the phrase to focus on a recognized method or manner of doing something.

a recognized method by which

Highlights the formal acknowledgement of the method.

a societal norm that

Focuses on the social aspect of the custom, emphasizing its role as a standard of behavior.

a time-honored tradition of

Highlights the historical aspect and respect associated with the custom.

an age-old practice where

Emphasizes the antiquity of the practice and provides a location or context.

a historical precedent that

Focuses on the custom's history and its role as a guiding example.

a cultural norm in which

Specifies the cultural context and the environment where the norm is applicable.

FAQs

How can I use "a custom by which" in a sentence?

Use "a custom by which" to introduce a specific tradition or practice and explain how it influences actions or behaviors. For example: "The levirate, "a custom by which" a widow marries her deceased husband's brother, was fairly common."

What are some alternatives to "a custom by which"?

You can use alternatives like "a tradition wherein", "a practice through which", or "a convention whereby" depending on the specific context.

Is "a custom by which" formal or informal?

"A custom by which" is generally considered neutral to formal and is appropriate for academic writing, news reports, and other professional contexts.

What's the difference between "a custom by which" and "a tradition that"?

"A custom by which" emphasizes the process or mechanism through which a practice is carried out. "A tradition that", on the other hand, focuses more on the tradition itself and its general characteristics.