by character

USAGE SUMMARY

"by character" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You use it when you want to refer to someone or something in terms of their personality or unique traits. For example: "The film's protagonist was truly unlikeable, by character".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

O.K., by character.

The New York Times

"People don't benefit by character assassinations.

The New York Times

"What do I mean by character?" she asked.

The New York Times

In Experiment 1, participants read event descriptions organised by character or time.

Stanford University

In Experiment 2, event descriptions were organised by character or location.

Stanford University

Participants indexed events by character in Experiment 1, re-indexing information when necessary.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Wave even showed character-by-character live typing.

TechCrunch

PLEASE NOTE: Your iPad displays all passwords character-by-character as you enter them.

University of Chicago

I want to see much more robust and usable version control, and particularly character-by-character differences.

Forbes

Here's a character-by-character rundown of what I've learned from its seven season.

Vice

For example, we worked hard on character-by-character liveness in Wave primarily to speed up conversations.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by character" to highlight that an assessment, action, or understanding is rooted in inherent qualities rather than external factors.

Common error

Avoid using "by character" when referring to specific skills or abilities, as it generally applies to broader, more fundamental qualities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by character" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to specify that something is determined or influenced by inherent qualities or personality traits. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

24%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by character" is a prepositional phrase used to denote that something is influenced or defined by inherent qualities or personality traits. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media. While suitable for formal and informal writing, it is crucial to differentiate "by character" from phrases with similar meanings to ensure precise communication. Related phrases include "in terms of personality" and "according to their nature". Remember to use "by character" when emphasizing that intrinsic qualities drive an outcome or understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from a character standpoint

Frames the perspective specifically from the characteristics of a person or entity.

through the lens of character

Implies examining something from the particular perspective of character.

in terms of personality

Focuses specifically on personality aspects as the defining factor, rather than general character.

considering their traits

Emphasizes specific traits or qualities as the determining elements.

according to their nature

Emphasizes the inherent nature of something as the basis for understanding.

in light of their attributes

Suggests assessing something based on its inherent attributes and qualities.

based on disposition

Highlights inherent tendencies or inclinations as the defining factor.

as defined by their essence

Highlights the fundamental essence or intrinsic nature of something.

judging by temperament

Focuses on temperament as a key aspect of character influencing assessment.

characteristically

Uses an adverb to describe an action or quality that is typical of a particular character.

FAQs

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

You can use "by character" to indicate that something is determined or influenced by someone's or something's inherent qualities. For example, "The success of the project was determined "by character", not by resources".

What is an alternative to saying "by character"?

Alternatives to "by character" include "in terms of personality", "according to their nature", or "based on disposition", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "by character" or "because of character"?

"By character" and "because of character" have different meanings. "By character" describes inherent qualities influencing something, while "because of character" implies character being the direct cause or reason for something.

What's the difference between "by character" and "by nature"?

While both relate to inherent qualities, "by character" often implies a blend of moral and personal traits, whereas "by nature" refers more directly to innate, unlearned qualities or inherent disposition.