by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the means or method by which something is done. Example: "The report was completed by using advanced data analysis techniques."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(So-called femidoms, inserted by the woman, have been a dismal failure).

The Economist

However, the second with a 0.5% formulation was supported by the results, published in February, of a smaller trial run by the HIV Prevention Trials Network.

The Economist

By giving the prize to the EU, the Nobel committee has undermined the excellent work of the other deserving winners of this prize.

The Guardian

The grievances aren't unreasonable, on either side, but the focus on fairness, by making it harder to reach any kind of agreement at all, could prove disastrous.

The New York Times

But by whom?

The New York Times

"It is untrue from start to finish, and was quite likely dreamt up by the Labour press office.

The Guardian

If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that.

The New York Times

He is survived by his wife and children.

The Guardian

But it is no less shocking to consider that, far from being neutral as was claimed at the time, it is clear that the government took a deliberately calculated political approach guided by a complete hostility to the coalfield communities.

The Guardian

North Korea's state media often boasts of successful military and space accomplishments, including the launch of a functional communications satellite, which are not independently verified by outside experts.

The Guardian

"We lose core user after core user by not addressing simple trolling issues that they face every day".

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by" to clearly indicate the agent or means through which an action is performed. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "by" interchangeably with prepositions like "with" or "through" when the intended meaning is to specify the agent or direct cause of an action. Use "by" to specify the actor or method; use "with" or "through" for instruments or mediums.

Linguistic Context

The preposition "by" primarily functions to indicate agency, specifying who or what performed an action. It can also denote proximity, indicating nearness or location, or time, setting a deadline. Ludwig AI analysis of numerous examples confirms these primary functions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "by" functions primarily as a preposition with diverse applications, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's used to specify agency, proximity, or deadlines, making it a versatile component of English grammar. It appears most frequently in news and media sources. Ludwig AI flags the word as grammatically correct, while writing guidance focuses on avoiding confusion with similar prepositions and using "by" to clearly indicate the agent or means through which an action is performed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

By means of

Formally specifies the method or instrument used to accomplish something, providing a more explicit alternative to "by".

Via

Highlights the means of transmission or delivery, similar to using "by" for method or agent.

In accordance with

Denotes compliance with rules or standards, similar to using "by" to indicate agreement.

Through

Emphasizes the process or method by which something is achieved, instead of just indicating the agent.

Through the agency of

Highlights that someone or something is the responsible party for completing the action.

Beside

Specifies being at the side of something, offering a more precise spatial relationship than "by".

On account of

Explains the reason or cause, substituting "by" when indicating causality.

Near

Indicates proximity in a physical sense, replacing "by" when referring to location.

Before

Indicates a point in time prior to a specific moment, replacing "by" when used in temporal contexts.

No later than

Emphasizes the deadline or latest possible time, replacing "by" in temporal contexts while stressing urgency.

FAQs

How can I use "by" to indicate a deadline?

Use "by" to set a deadline, for example, "The report must be submitted "by Friday"."

What's the difference between "by" and "with" when describing how something was done?

"By" indicates the agent, while "with" indicates the tool or instrument. For example, "The painting was created "by Van Gogh" with oil paints."

How to use "by" correctly to indicate location?

Use "by" to indicate proximity or being next to something, such as, "The house is "by the river"."

Can I use "by" to express an increase or decrease?

Yes, "by" can be used to show a change in amount, as in, "The price increased "by 10 percent"."