by dint of

USAGE SUMMARY

"by dint of" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use the phrase to express that something was achieved or accomplished through determination or hard work. For example, "She succeeded in her career by dint of hard work and determination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

By dint of our being here".

The New York Times

Perhaps by dint of her gender, too.

The New York Times

By dint of West German diplomacy they did.

Independent

For Edmar Castaneda, the unconventional comes by dint of instrumentation.

The New York Times

(Israelis, by dint of nationality, get steep discounts).

The New York Times - Travel

"Look, by dint of biography, by dint of experience, the basic optimism that I articulate and present publicly as President is real," he told me.

The New Yorker

He was considered a "woman's director" by dint of the affinity he demonstrated for actresses.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This argument is that not everyone can become a Mozart merely by dint of hard work.

The Economist

By dint of trial and error, with technical help from printmaking studios, she succeeded.

The New York Times - Arts

Demand does not have to go down, by dint of creation's quiddity, when price goes up.

The Economist

By dint of deft management and his own massive reputation, Buckley kept competing egos under control.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by dint of" when you want to emphasize that something was achieved through considerable effort or a specific quality. For example, "He achieved success by dint of hard work."

Common error

Avoid using "by dint of" in casual writing. It can sound stilted or pretentious if a simpler phrase like "because of" would suffice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by dint of" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces the reason or means by which something is accomplished. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It's used to emphasize that something happens as a result of a particular effort, quality or means.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by dint of" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate that something is achieved or occurs as a result of particular effort, quality, or means. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a correct and usable part of a sentence. It is most frequently found in News & Media sources and, while correct, is considered more formal than alternatives like "because of" or "as a result of". Using "by dint of" effectively requires considering the context and ensuring that it fits the desired tone, avoiding overly formal language in casual situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

because of

Directly expresses causation, simpler and more common.

as a result of

Indicates a consequence or outcome.

through

Implies achieving something by using a particular method or quality.

by means of

Highlights the method or tool used.

owing to

Formal way of expressing 'due to'.

on account of

Similar to 'because of', but slightly more formal.

by virtue of

Emphasizes a specific quality or characteristic as the cause.

thanks to

Often used to express gratitude for a cause, but can be used more generally.

due to

Clearly indicates causation, but can sometimes sound informal.

in consequence of

Formal and emphasizes the result.

FAQs

How can I use "by dint of" in a sentence?

Use "by dint of" to indicate that something is achieved or happens as a result of effort or a particular quality. For example, "She succeeded "by dint of hard work" and determination."

What can I say instead of "by dint of"?

You can use alternatives like "because of", "as a result of", or "through" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "by dint of" or "because of"?

"By dint of" is more formal and emphasizes effort or a specific quality. "Because of" is more general and can be used in a wider range of situations.

What is the difference between "by dint of" and "by virtue of"?

"By dint of" emphasizes effort or specific action that leads to a result, while "by virtue of" suggests that something occurs due to an inherent quality or characteristic.