by and by

USAGE SUMMARY

"by and by" is a phrase that can be used in written English.
It is an idiom meaning "at an unspecified time in the future". For example, "I hope to travel the world by and by."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

It does outlast them by and by.

The New Yorker

By and by the menu grew.

The New York Times - Books

Good times are coming by and by.

The New Yorker

By and by, he reveals the shovel.

The New York Times

By and by, by and by, I'm going to lay down my heavy load".

The New Yorker

By and by, he came to the beachfront.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

"I'll see you before the by-and-by".

The New Yorker

Conservative realists don't expect to "have it all" in the sweet by-and-by.

The New York Times

Most big ideas prove to be pie-in-the-sky-by-and-by.

HuffPost

If I could make my own sweet-by-and-by, we would have a mystical meeting, together one last time.

Huffington Post

You will find out by-and-by which you like best amongst them all.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by and by" to add a touch of folksiness or old-fashioned charm to your writing. It's particularly effective in narratives or when aiming for a nostalgic tone.

Common error

Avoid using "by and by" too frequently in formal writing, as it can come across as quaint or out of place. Opt for more direct alternatives like "eventually" or "later" in professional contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by and by" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to indicate a time frame in the future. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where it indicates when an action will occur. It specifies that something will happen at an unspecified future point.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by and by" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase denoting an unspecified time in the future. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use, particularly in News & Media contexts, lending a touch of folksiness to writing. While common, it's advisable to use it judiciously in formal settings. Alternatives like "eventually" or "later on" may be more appropriate depending on the desired tone. The phrase is considered correct and has a high rate of usage according to the numerous examples provided by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eventually

Indicates a future occurrence, but lacks the folksy tone of "by and by".

in due course

More formal alternative, suggesting things will happen at the appropriate time.

after a while

Less specific about the timing than "by and by".

at some point

Indicates an unspecified time in the future, similar to "by and by" but less idiomatic.

sooner or later

Implies inevitability, while "by and by" simply suggests a future time.

in the fullness of time

Suggests a more distant future and a sense of natural progression.

down the line

More colloquial, implying a future point in a process or sequence.

in the future

A very general term lacking the quaintness of "by and by".

with time

Highlights the process of time passing, where "by and by" simply denotes a future event.

ultimately

Focuses on the final result or outcome, while "by and by" just refers to future timing.

FAQs

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

You can use "by and by" to indicate that something will happen at some unspecified time in the future. For example, "Sit down, have a rest, and "by and by" you'll be feeling better."

What can I say instead of "by and by"?

You can use alternatives like "eventually", "later on", or "in due time" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "by and by" or "bye and bye"?

The correct phrase is "by and by", meaning at some unspecified time in the future. "Bye and bye" is not a standard English phrase.

What's the difference between "by and by" and "immediately"?

"By and by" indicates a future, unspecified time, while "immediately" means happening right now or without delay. They are near opposites in meaning.