by affecting

USAGE SUMMARY

'by affecting' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something is having an impact on something else. For example: "Our safety measures are improving the environment by affecting the emission of pollutants."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fatty liver may aggravate pancreatitis by affecting lipid metabolism.

Nature

But they could nevertheless influence national results by affecting other candidates' vote share.

The Guardian

Nature (genes), he announces, works by affecting nurture, while nurture (environment) affects how genes act.

The Guardian - Books

Many existing drugs work by affecting the supply or use of insulin.

The New York Times

Mold can harm health, most commonly by affecting people who are allergic to it.

The Washington Post

It can rule effectively by affecting to be what it is not.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Induced abortion reduces fertility not by affecting fecundability but by terminating pregnancy.

Britannica

Habitat heterogeneity influences pathogen ecology by affecting vector abundance and the reservoir host communities.

Stanford University

Landscape composition, in particular, could either directly impact a pest abundance by affecting its dispersal, mortality or reproduction, or indirectly by affecting its natural enemies.

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

Heatwaves cause early deaths (especially of mothers and infants) and, by affecting the harvest, damage nutrition.

The Economist

Many existing treatments work by affecting the supply or use of insulin.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by affecting" when you want to clearly show how one thing directly influences or changes another. Ensure the relationship between the cause and effect is evident in your sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "by affecting" in phrases where the 'affecting' part is already implied. For example, instead of saying "improve results by affecting an improvement", simply say "improve results by improving".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by affecting" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the means or method through which an action or state is achieved. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by affecting" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe how something influences or changes something else. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across diverse contexts, particularly in science and news media. While versatile, it's important to ensure clarity and avoid redundant constructions. Consider alternatives like "through influencing" or "via impacting" for nuanced expression. The phrase is suitable for various levels of formality, making it a valuable tool in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through influencing

Emphasizes the process of exerting influence rather than the direct result.

via impacting

Similar to 'by affecting' but with a slightly stronger sense of force or consequence.

by means of influencing

More formal and emphasizes the method or tool used to achieve the influence.

by way of altering

Focuses on the act of changing something as the means of achieving an effect.

in virtue of impacting

A more formal alternative indicating that something happens because of its impact.

by virtue of influencing

Similar to the previous phrase, but uses 'influencing' instead of 'impacting'.

through the influence of

Shifts the focus to the influence itself as the active agent.

as a result of impacting

Highlights the consequence of an impact.

owing to the effect of

Formal and emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship.

by acting on

Focuses on the direct action taken on something to produce a result.

FAQs

How can I use "by affecting" in a sentence?

Use "by affecting" to show a direct influence or change. For example, "The new policy aims to improve public health "by affecting lifestyle choices"".

What are some alternatives to "by affecting"?

You can use alternatives like "through influencing", "via impacting", or "by means of influencing" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "by affecting" and "by impacting"?

While similar, "by impacting" often implies a stronger or more forceful influence compared to "by affecting". Choose the word that best reflects the intensity of the effect.

Can "by affecting" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "by affecting" is appropriate for formal writing. However, consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "in virtue of affecting" for a more elevated tone.