by devising a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by devising a" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the action of creating or planning something, often in a strategic or innovative context. Example: "The team improved efficiency by devising a new workflow that streamlined communication."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He was the first to codify that dance form by devising a training method for it.

The New York Times

Yale University has compromised by devising a compulsory athletic program that reguires both contact and non-contact sports.

The New Yorker

Torotrak solved this problem by devising a version of continuously variable transmission, used in gearless electric motors.

The Economist

Writing recently in Developmental Psychology, Dr. Saffran said she began by devising a test to measure newborns' response to notes.

The New York Times - Health

The company would buy time by "devising a plan to extend the development of a... name as long as possible".

The Guardian

Sara Ziff, an American model and filmmaker, recently initiated the Model Alliance to protect and enforce models by devising a Models' Bill of Rights.

The New York Times

Archimedes (c. 250 bce) took a major step forward by devising a method to obtain pi to any desired accuracy, given enough patience.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Scientists put the intelligence of 68 working border collies to the test by devising a series of cognitive tasks for them to carry out.

Independent

Researchers at the University of Strathclyde, in Britain, led by Mohamed Saafi, are therefore trying to give them a voice, by devising a new sort of smart paint.

The Economist

Ogden Nash neatly described Agatha Christie as a "murdermongress", and in doing so enriched the vocabulary of poets by devising a rhyme for Library of Congress.

The Guardian - Books

The Pentagon branch responsible for developing technology and techniques for warfare stumbled badly this week by devising a plan for people to bet on future terrorist attacks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "by devising a" with strong verbs to showcase the impact of the newly created method. For example: 'The company boosted sales by devising a targeted marketing campaign'.

Common error

Avoid using "by devising a" in overly passive constructions. Instead of saying 'A solution was achieved by devising a new system', opt for 'The team achieved a solution by devising a new system' for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by devising a" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces the means or method by which an action is performed or a result is achieved. It often specifies the creation of a plan, system, or method used to accomplish a goal. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples demonstrating its utility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

53%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by devising a" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that introduces a method or strategy employed to achieve a specific outcome. As supported by Ludwig AI's analysis, it’s most commonly found in news, media, and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When writing, use "by devising a" to highlight the innovative and strategic nature of a solution or plan, but be mindful of avoiding passive voice constructions for a more direct and impactful statement. Consider alternative phrases like "through the creation of a" or "by formulating a" to fine-tune the emphasis of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by developing a

Focuses on the gradual and progressive growth of something.

by designing a

Emphasizes the planning and structural aspect of creating something.

by formulating a

Highlights the systematic and precise formation of a plan or method.

by engineering a

Implies a technical and precise approach to creating something.

through the creation of a

Emphasizes the act of creation rather than the planning or inventive aspect.

by conceiving a

Focuses on the initial idea or mental creation of something.

by inventing a

Stresses the originality and ingenuity involved in creating something new.

by originating a

Stresses the act of bringing something into existence for the first time.

by pioneering a

Suggests being the first to create or implement something.

through establishing a

Highlights the setting up or founding of a system or method.

FAQs

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

Use "by devising a" to describe how a particular outcome was achieved through careful planning or invention. For example: "The company improved efficiency "by devising a new workflow"".

What are some alternatives to "by devising a"?

You can use alternatives like "through creating a", "by formulating a", or "by developing a" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "by devising a" or "by creating a"?

"By devising a" emphasizes the inventive and strategic aspect of the creation, while "by creating a" simply highlights the act of bringing something into existence. The best choice depends on the context and the specific emphasis you want to convey.

What's the difference between "by devising a" and "by developing a"?

"By devising a" suggests a deliberate and inventive planning process, whereas "by developing a" implies a gradual and progressive evolution or improvement of something.