by default

USAGE SUMMARY

"by default" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to mean "by default setting", "by default condition," "as a default," or "in the absence of other facts." For example, "Passwords expire by default every 90 days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By default, he probably does.

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm a Buddhist by default".

The New York Times

It ingests them by default.

The New Yorker

She was famous by default.

Independent

We're welcome by default".

The New York Times

Almost won by default.

The Guardian - Sport

I'd lose by default.

The New York Times - Style

Junk wins by default.

The Guardian - Books

Second favourite, by default.

The Guardian - Sport

Tight privacy by default?

MIT Technology Review

Copyrights exist by default.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by default", ensure the context clearly defines what the alternative action or state would be. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the statement's clarity.

Common error

Avoid assuming the audience knows the system's default settings. Always clarify what happens "by default" to ensure everyone understands the implications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by default" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or clause to indicate that an action or state occurs automatically unless specified otherwise. Ludwig examples show it describing how systems behave or how choices are made in the absence of specific instructions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

25%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by default" is a grammatically correct and very common adverbial phrase used to indicate a standard or automatic setting or action. According to Ludwig, it effectively communicates what occurs in the absence of specific instructions. Predominantly found in news, academic, and wiki sources, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts. Remember to clarify the scope of default settings to avoid misunderstandings. Alternatives include "automatically" and "as a matter of course", but the best choice depends on the specific context. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its proper usage and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

automatically

This alternative focuses on the action happening without intervention.

as a matter of course

Emphasizes that something happens as a normal or expected procedure.

as a rule

Highlights that something usually happens in a particular way.

ordinarily

Suggests something happens in the usual or common way.

typically

Indicates that something is characteristic or representative.

usually

Similar to typically but with a slightly broader application.

in the normal course of events

Highlights the predictable sequence of actions.

under normal circumstances

Specifies that the outcome is dependent on standard conditions.

without specific instruction

Explicitly states the absence of particular directions.

preset

Implies that something is preconfigured or established beforehand.

FAQs

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

You can use "by default" to indicate what happens automatically if no other action is taken. For example, "The settings are configured to save automatically "by default"".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "by default"?

Alternatives to "by default" include phrases like "automatically", "as a matter of course", or "typically", which convey the idea of something happening under normal circumstances.

Is it better to use "by default" or "automatically"?

Both "by default" and "automatically" can be correct, but "by default" is best used when there's an alternative action that could be taken, whereas "automatically" simply means something happens without intervention.

What does it mean when something is set "by default"?

When something is set ""by default"", it means that it's the standard setting or behavior unless someone changes it. For example, "The program installs with specific options enabled "by default"".