by an act of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by an act of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is done through a specific action or decision, often in a legal or formal context. Example: "The law was established by an act of Congress to address the growing concerns about environmental protection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Once again, my poor President's health care initiative has been buried by an act of someone acting stupidly.

Huffington Post

Not given me by an act of generosity, but by an act of love.

The Guardian

It was stopped by an act of Congress.

The New Yorker

"We survive as if by an act of God".

The Guardian

"The federation was created by an act of parliament and it can be reformed by an act of parliament.

The Guardian

She warned: "The federation was created by an act of parliament and it can be reformed by an act of parliament.

The Guardian

"The fire was caused by an act of Palestinian arson," Dr. Gold said.

The New York Times

By an act of misguided compassion he allowed Satan to escape.

The New Yorker

The divisions were merged by an act of the legislature last summer.

The New York Times

The museum was established in 2003 by an act of Congress.

The New York Times - Arts

A Faltering Leap Forward Hangang was created by an act of Mao.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by an act of" to emphasize a formal or official process leading to a specific outcome, especially in legal, political, or historical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "by an act of" in casual or everyday situations; opt for simpler alternatives like "through", "by", or "with" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by an act of" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the means or agent through which something is accomplished. Ludwig examples show it frequently introduces how an event came to be, especially in formal or legal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by an act of" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate how something is accomplished, primarily in formal contexts such as law, politics, and history. Ludwig examples demonstrate its frequent usage in reputable news sources, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While grammatically correct and commonly used, it's important to avoid overuse in informal settings. Consider alternatives like "through", "by", or "with" for a more casual tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through legislation

Focuses specifically on legal or legislative means.

by virtue of a law

Highlights the authority or power conferred by a law.

by means of a statute

Highlights the use of a formal written law.

pursuant to an enactment

Indicates compliance with a legal provision.

via a decree

Emphasizes a formal order or command.

under the authority of a bill

Implies that the action is sanctioned by a proposed law.

as a result of a decision

Shifts focus to the outcome of a deliberate choice.

following a ruling

Focuses on the result of a judgment or official determination.

by order of a regulation

Shows compliance with an official rule or directive.

through a measure

Emphasizes a specific action taken.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "by an act of" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "pursuant to a decree", "by virtue of a law", or "in accordance with an enactment".

What's a simpler way to say "by an act of" in casual conversation?

In everyday conversation, you can replace "by an act of" with phrases like "through", "by", or "with", depending on the specific context. For example, instead of saying "The museum was established by an act of Congress", you could say "The museum was established "through Congress"".

Is it grammatically correct to use "by an act of"?

Yes, "by an act of" is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in legal and formal contexts. Ludwig confirms this usage.

When is it most appropriate to use the phrase "by an act of"?

The phrase is most appropriate when describing actions or events that are the direct result of a formal decision, law, or decree, especially in political, legal, or historical settings. It is also useful to add emphasis of a specific action.