by diffusion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by diffusion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in scientific or technical contexts to describe the process of spreading or distributing substances or energy from areas of higher concentration to areas of lower concentration. Example: "The nutrients in the soil are absorbed by the plant roots by diffusion."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Most chemicals enter milk by diffusion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Instead, they believed that water moved through cell walls by diffusion, slowly pushing through.

The New York Times

The epidermis receives materials only by diffusion from below.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Nourishment comes directly by diffusion from the tissues.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By their account, "As moisture evaporates from the desiccation zone, juices slowly wick up from below, pushed by diffusion and pulled by capillary forces.

The New Yorker

A commercial method was developed for separating hydrogen from carbon monoxide synthesis gas by diffusion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At slow growth rates, the heat leaves the surface by diffusion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This separation could be done by diffusion, working with uranium hexafluoride, a gas.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Respiratory gases also move by diffusion across tissue barriers such as membranes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Leaching was controlled by diffusion.

Journal of Hazardous Materials

It reaches avascular areas by diffusion.

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical writing, use "by diffusion" to precisely indicate that the movement or transfer is driven by concentration gradients, rather than other mechanisms like active transport or convection.

Common error

Avoid using "by diffusion" when describing processes that involve active transport or bulk flow. Diffusion specifically refers to movement driven by concentration gradients, not by external energy input or pressure differences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by diffusion" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to specify the manner in which an action (often involving transport or movement) occurs. Ludwig provides numerous examples across diverse contexts, underscoring the phrase's role in detailing processes dependent on concentration gradients.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

67%

Encyclopedias

15%

News & Media

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by diffusion" is a grammatically correct and widely used prepositional phrase, particularly in scientific and technical writing. According to Ludwig, it accurately describes processes where substances or energy spread due to concentration gradients. While alternatives like "through diffusion" or "via diffusion" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you aim to convey. Remember to use "by diffusion" when detailing movement driven by concentration differences, and avoid it for processes involving active transport or bulk flow. With its formal tone and specific meaning, mastering the usage of "by diffusion" can significantly enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through diffusion

Replaces the preposition "by" with "through", emphasizing the process more directly.

via diffusion

Substitutes "by" with "via", highlighting the means or channel of the process.

through a process of diffusion

Adds specificity by explicitly stating the process involved.

resulting from diffusion

Shifts the focus to the outcome or consequence of the diffusion process.

due to diffusion

Emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship with diffusion as the reason.

driven by diffusion

Highlights the driving force behind the movement or spread.

facilitated by diffusion

Focuses on diffusion as the mechanism that enables a certain action.

dependent on diffusion

Stresses the reliance on diffusion for a particular outcome.

via a diffusive mechanism

Rephrases the concept using more technical language, emphasizing the mechanism involved.

through molecular dispersion

Uses a more specific scientific term (molecular dispersion) to describe the process.

FAQs

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

The phrase "by diffusion" indicates a process where substances spread from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration. For example, "Nutrients are transported to cells "by diffusion"".

What are some alternatives to "by diffusion"?

Alternatives include "through diffusion", "via diffusion", or "resulting from diffusion", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "movement by diffusion" or "diffusion movement"?

"Movement "by diffusion"" is the more common and grammatically sound phrasing. "Diffusion movement" is less idiomatic and might sound awkward to native English speakers.

What is the difference between transport "by diffusion" and transport "by convection"?

Transport "by diffusion" relies on concentration gradients, whereas transport "by convection" involves the bulk movement of fluids due to pressure or temperature differences.