by being

USAGE SUMMARY

"by being" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe how something is accomplished or to explain a cause and effect. For example, "He achieved success by being persistent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A. By being persistent.

The New York Times

By being friendly".

The New Yorker

SC: By being optimistic.

Independent

"By being simple.

The New Yorker

By being thoughtful.

The New Yorker

"By being a monster".

The New Yorker

"How?" "By being myself".

The New Yorker

scores by being more motivated.

The New Yorker

By being less than automatic.

The New Yorker

Drive sales by being genuine".

The Guardian

They survive by being efficient".

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by being" to clearly and concisely explain the method or means by which a result is achieved, ensuring the connection is direct and evident. For example, 'Success is achieved "by being" persistent.'

Common error

Avoid using "by being" with abstract nouns when a more direct verb would be clearer. For example, instead of 'He improved "by being" attentive', use 'He improved by attending'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by being" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a gerund phrase, indicating the method or means by which something is accomplished or achieved. Ludwig's examples show its use in explaining how to attain a specific outcome or characteristic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

35%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by being" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe how something is accomplished or to explain a cause-and-effect relationship. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and very common, appearing frequently in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts. When writing, it's important to ensure that "by being" is followed by a gerund phrase that clearly explains the method or means of achieving the result. While there are alternative phrases like "through" or "via", "by being" offers a straightforward way to express a continuous action leading to a specific outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by nature of existence

Implies that the outcome is inevitable given the inherent properties of existence.

by simply existing

Emphasizes the ease or lack of effort required, suggesting inherent capability.

by the condition of existing

Highlights the necessary or sufficient condition that existence provides.

by virtue of existence

Stresses that the outcome is a direct result of the inherent qualities of existing.

via the state of

Highlights the condition or status as the method of achieving something.

by means of existing

A more formal way to indicate that existence is the tool or method.

through existence

Emphasizes the state of existence as the means, rather than a specific action.

in the act of existing

Focuses on the ongoing process of existence as the active element.

through the medium of existence

Suggests that existence is the channel through which something is achieved.

by living as

Focuses on a specific manner or role of living that leads to a particular outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "by being" in a sentence to show how something is achieved?

Use "by being" to indicate the method or manner through which an action is accomplished. For instance, "You can improve your health "by being active"" demonstrates that physical activity is the means to better health.

What are some alternatives to "by being" that I can use to vary my writing?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "through", "via", or "by means of". For example, instead of "achieve success "by being" persistent", you could say "achieve success "through persistence"".

Is there a difference between using "by being" and "by" followed by a gerund?

The phrase "by being" emphasizes a state of existence or a continuous action, whereas "by" followed by a gerund typically focuses on the action itself. For example, "improved "by being attentive"" highlights the ongoing state of attentiveness, while "improved by attending" focuses on the act of attending.

When is it best to avoid using "by being" in my writing?

Avoid using "by being" when a more direct and concise verb can convey the same meaning more effectively. For example, instead of saying "He succeeded "by being diligent"", consider saying "He succeeded by working diligently" or even simpler, "He succeeded by persevering".