by appetite

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by appetite" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or behaviors that are driven by a person's desire or craving for something, often related to food or indulgence. Example: "He chose to eat dessert by appetite rather than following his diet plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Q. Do any animals overeat in the wild? A. A wild animal's food consumption is determined as much by the availability of food as it is by appetite.

The New York Times - Science

Theatre-goers have long anticipated Simon Russell Beale's eventual Falstaff but he gives it here first: cloud-bearded and earthy, a portrait of ambition and intelligence chiselled away by appetite.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Given that the current food economy is so strongly driven by appetite, it does seem odd that so much of the desire is for such squalid and unsatisfying things.

The New Yorker

And he says that just as in the human soul, there is reason, there is spirit, and there is appetite, so, too, in a well-structured city, there are guardians, those governed by reason; auxiliaries, roughly soldiers, those governed by honor; and a kind of worker, who is governed by appetite.

Yale University

By accepting that the fixed self is an illusion imprinted by experience and reinforced by appetite, meditation parachutes in a kind of peacekeeping mission that, if it cannot demobilize the armies, lets us see their nature and temporarily disarms their still juvenile soldiers.

The New Yorker

Napoleon's appearances and reappearances from the Russian front are as arbitrary as a Magritte drawing — and the scene's moral, to the degree that it has one, is the nihilistic one that runs true in comedy from Aristophanes to Sid Caesar: all authority is always ridiculous, and man (and woman) runs by appetite alone.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Out of the crucible of humiliation emerged Cindy, crass and cagey, driven by appetites.

The New York Times

On television, women don't usually play grownup human beings; they play slightly oversize children, helpless and pouty, driven by appetites they can't possibly understand.

The New Yorker

A soul ruled by appetites is the very picture of psychological injustice.

SEP

On the other, actions motivated by appetites can be well or badly done, and likewise having an appetite at all can sometimes not be a well done, but a badly done, activity of the soul.

SEP

The drugs work by suppressing appetite, by increasing metabolism, and by other mechanisms that are not yet fully understood.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by appetite" when describing actions driven by a natural inclination or craving, especially in contexts related to food or primal urges. For instance, "the animals were driven by appetite to seek out scarce resources."

Common error

Avoid using "by appetite" excessively in formal or academic writing where more precise or sophisticated language may be appropriate. Consider alternatives like "motivated by desire" or "driven by inclination" for broader applicability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by appetite" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, often used adverbially to modify verbs and describe the manner in which an action is performed or motivated. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to indicate that an action is driven by a desire or craving.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by appetite" is a prepositional phrase indicating that an action is driven by a desire or craving. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable in written English and serves to describe behaviors motivated by natural inclinations. While grammatically correct and found across various sources, including news, science, and academia, its frequency is relatively uncommon. To enhance writing, it's best used when precision is needed to describe actions motivated by hunger or primal urges, but overuse in formal contexts should be avoided. Alternatives include "motivated by desire" or "driven by inclination", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

driven by desire

Emphasizes the driving force of a general desire rather than specifically appetite.

guided by craving

Highlights the influence of a strong craving, often implying a lack of control.

motivated by hunger

Specifically relates to the motivation stemming from physical hunger.

led by inclination

Focuses on a general preference or leaning, not necessarily related to food or physical needs.

controlled by urges

Stresses the controlling aspect of strong internal urges.

prompted by taste

Connects actions directly to the sense of taste and preferences.

swayed by temptation

Implies a yielding to a tempting offer or desire.

governed by cravings

Similar to "controlled by urges" but places emphasis on the governance of said urges.

influenced by palate

Highlights the influence of one's sense of taste or preferences in food.

dictated by hunger

Focuses on the peremptory nature of hunger's influence on behavior.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "by appetite" to sound more formal?

You can use more formal alternatives such as "motivated by desire", "driven by inclination", or "guided by craving". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What is the difference between "by appetite" and "out of necessity"?

"By appetite" implies that actions are driven by desire or craving, while "out of necessity" suggests that actions are compelled by essential needs or unavoidable circumstances.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use the phrase "by appetite"?

The phrase "by appetite" is suitable in contexts where actions are directly influenced by cravings or desires, particularly related to food or other primal urges. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a strong inclination or drive.

Are there any negative connotations associated with the phrase "by appetite"?

The phrase "by appetite" can sometimes carry a negative connotation if it implies a lack of control or indulgence in excessive desires. However, in many contexts, it is simply a neutral descriptor of motivation.