Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
account by which
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "account by which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific method or means of explaining or detailing something, often in a formal or legal context. Example: "The financial report provides an account by which the company's expenditures can be understood."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Formal & Business
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
4 human-written examples
This went on for a few days and eventually he said that his money was sorted out but would take a couple of weeks to reach his account by which time his break would be over.
News & Media
The typical inside-the-White-House account — by which I mainly mean the books by Bob Woodward, who more or less owns the genre — has an omniscient quality, the author recreating scenes as if he'd been in the room.
News & Media
Furthermore, it takes the dragging effect of precipitates on grain boundaries and dislocations into account by which a higher strength can be achieved and the grain size is stabilised.
Nevertheless, the current findings provide timecourse and topography evidence that is inconsistent with a serial process account by which encoding the structural information of faces associated with the N170 precedes evaluation of emotional expression.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
55 human-written examples
In Oxford, a group of housing association tenants who had been carefully persuaded to test out the benefit payment system in its early form found the local authority failed to transfer housing benefit payments until after their rent had already been taken from their accounts, by which point many were overdrawn by hundreds of pounds for the very first time in their life.
News & Media
Against the notion that it is obvious that moral goodness is a pure perfection, it is worth noting that many accounts by which moral norms are allegedly explained in a non-debunking way make reference to features specific to human life, or at least the life of beings similar to humans in important ways.
Science
A6 Human Resource Accounting HRA HRARA is a method in which performance is specified regarding cost and accounting measurements by which employees' performances are rated by accounting for the contributions of employees.
State governments have a set of accounting standards by which they must abide, known as the Government Accounting Standards Board GASBB).
News & Media
A balanced budget on the current account by 2017-18 would would be done "fairly".
News & Media
A Tanzanian middleman, who has a long-standing relationship with military and government figures, has admitted that the sum was covertly moved to a Swiss account by BAE Systems, which is under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office.
News & Media
The film was adapted from the best-selling account by Mark Bowden, which stacked up detail; Mr. Scott's slathering of visual elements is the pictorial correlative of the author's work.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "account by which", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what is being explained or detailed. For example, "Provide an "account by which" the financial transactions were recorded."
Common error
Avoid using "account by which" in casual conversations or informal writing; opt for simpler alternatives like "how" or "why" to maintain a natural tone.
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.4/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "account by which" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a detailed explanation or description. It specifies the means or method through which something is explained or understood. As seen in Ludwig, the phrase appears in varied contexts, including scientific and news publications.
Frequent in
Science
50%
News & Media
37%
Formal & Business
13%
Less common in
Wiki
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "account by which" is a phrase used to introduce a detailed explanation or description, primarily in formal and scientific contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides examples across various domains such as Science, News & Media, and Formal & Business writing. While grammatically sound, consider using simpler alternatives like "method by which" or "means by which" in less formal settings to maintain an appropriate tone. When aiming for precision and thoroughness, "account by which" is a valuable tool for structuring comprehensive explanations.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
method by which
Replaces "account" with "method", focusing on the procedure rather than the explanation itself.
means by which
Substitutes "account" with "means", emphasizing the resources or actions used to achieve something.
mechanism by which
Replaces "account" with "mechanism", highlighting the process or system that brings about a result.
process through which
Emphasizes the step-by-step nature of how something is achieved or understood.
system by which
Focuses on the structured arrangement that enables something to happen or be explained.
manner in which
Highlights the specific way or style in which something is done or explained.
procedure by which
Similar to "method", but slightly more formal and emphasizing a defined series of steps.
explanation by which
Directly replaces "account" with "explanation", clarifying the focus on providing understanding.
the way in which
A more general alternative, applicable in a wider range of contexts but less precise.
the approach through which
Highlights a deliberate and planned way to deal with something or find a solution.
FAQs
How can I use "account by which" in a sentence?
Use "account by which" to introduce a detailed explanation or description of a process or event. For example, "The report offers an "account by which" the company's losses occurred."
What can I say instead of "account by which"?
You can use alternatives like "method by which", "means by which", or "process through which depending on the context.
Is "account by which" formal or informal?
"Account by which" tends to be more formal and is often used in academic, scientific, or professional contexts. Simpler alternatives are more appropriate for informal settings.
What's the difference between "account by which" and "how"?
"Account by which" implies a more detailed and structured explanation, whereas "how" is a more general inquiry about the way something happens. "Account by which" is also used to highlight the explanation or description itself, not just the process.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.4/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested