by benefits

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by benefits" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to something that is achieved or provided through benefits, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The program is designed to improve employee satisfaction by benefits such as flexible working hours and health insurance."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's running a story today with the headline: Seven million working families hit by benefits cut.

The Guardian

Both took odd jobs to make a living, topped up by benefits.

The Guardian - Tech

But those earning low wages have their salaries topped up by benefits too.

Independent

The drugs, the report said, had risks, including invasive breast cancer, which, although slight, were not counterbalanced by benefits.

The New York Times

Last year, he took home £4.2m after his £1m salary was enhanced by benefits, bonuses and shares.

The Guardian - Business

The real question is whether or not any harm done can be justified by benefits gained in return.

The Guardian - Film

"Nearly all the charities we spoke to reported that young people were being affected by benefits being cut.

Independent

A new Compass pamphlet cheekily reclaims the Osborne lexicon, blasting "scrounging" employers whose low pay is topped up by benefits, and corporate "shirkers" who dodge their tax.

The Guardian - Opinion

The reporter slipped into copy mode, and presented Hood with a news line about how many people would be affected by benefits changes in the next five years.

The Guardian - Business

In a different universe from the one defined by benefits and bus fares, British – or, rather, English – politicians currently love talking about cities.

The Guardian

According to surveys by benefits consultants, companies that offer health benefits to retirees typically have subsidized about 60percentt of the premium.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace the phrase "by benefits" with clearer alternatives such as "through benefits" or "via benefits" to improve readability and grammatical accuracy. For example, instead of "supported by benefits", consider "supported through benefits".

Common error

Avoid using "by benefits" as a direct substitute for prepositions that indicate means or instrument. "By" typically indicates the agent of an action, not the instrument. Choose prepositions like "through", "via", or "with" to accurately convey how benefits are utilized.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by benefits" functions as a prepositional modifier, indicating the means or method through which something is achieved or affected. However, its usage can be grammatically questionable. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not correct. Although, there are many examples, the alternatives are more precise.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "by benefits" appears frequently across various sources, particularly in news, science, and business, Ludwig AI defines it as grammatically incorrect. Its primary function is to indicate the means or support provided by benefits. Better alternatives include phrases like "through benefits" or "via benefits", which offer greater clarity and precision. While common, it's advisable to opt for grammatically sound alternatives, especially in formal writing, to avoid ambiguity and ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through benefits

Replaces "by" with "through" to more clearly indicate that benefits are the means by which something is achieved.

funded through benefits

Combines the clarity of "through benefits" with the specific nature of funding.

via benefits

Similar to "through benefits", but uses "via" to suggest a pathway or channel of benefits.

using benefits

Emphasizes the active use of benefits to accomplish a particular outcome.

with the aid of benefits

More explicitly states that benefits are assisting in achieving a result.

supported by benefits

Highlights the supporting role that benefits play in maintaining or enabling something.

financed by benefits

Specifically indicates that benefits are the source of funding for an activity or service.

subsidized by benefits

Similar to "financed by benefits", but implies a partial funding to keep costs low.

compensated by benefits

Implies that benefits are provided as a form of recompense or offset.

made possible by benefits

Emphasizes the enabling role of benefits in allowing something to occur.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically correct way to say "by benefits"?

Consider using phrases like "through benefits", "via benefits", or "supported by benefits" to improve clarity and grammatical correctness.

In what contexts is "by benefits" most likely to appear?

The phrase "by benefits" commonly appears in discussions related to social welfare, economics, and corporate compensation, often in news articles and business reports. However, it is often more appropriate to use different constructions in formal contexts.

Is "by benefits" considered formal or informal language?

While "by benefits" appears in news and media, it is generally considered less formal and less grammatically precise. In academic or professional writing, clearer alternatives like "through benefits" or "with the aid of benefits" are preferred.

How can I avoid ambiguity when discussing the role of benefits?

To avoid ambiguity, be specific about how benefits are involved. Instead of "impacted by benefits", clarify whether something is "funded through benefits", "supported by benefits", or "enabled by benefits".