by displacing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by displacing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of moving something from its original position or replacing it with something else. Example: "The new policy aims to improve efficiency by displacing outdated practices with innovative solutions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Both expanded their land holdings by displacing and often slaughtering indigenous peoples.

The New York Times

By displacing conventional forms of energy this way renewables have undermined utilities' finances.

The Economist

By displacing the common-seeming, he added a totally new volume.

The New York Times

In America shale has already lowered consumers' energy bills and, by displacing coal, carbon emissions.

The Economist

They said the projects would destroy the character of the Clinton and Chelsea neighborhoods by displacing families and small businesses.

The New York Times

In fact, invasive species like cheat grass can devastate diversity by displacing native species over huge areas.

The New York Times

One community member told me the government was "trying to eradicate poverty by displacing the poor from the city where they can hide our poverty.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Hollywood Reporter noted a remarkable first about this: by displacing Carrie Underwood, Lambert had ensured that American Idol contestants had succeeded each other at No 1.

The Guardian - Music

But today's state-of-the-art facilities will provide environmental benefits by displacing, and eventually replacing, older and less efficient plants.

The New York Times

The European Commission has denied that biofuels are helping push up food prices by displacing other agriculture and has vowed to stick by its 10percentt goal.

The New York Times

The asphalt parking lot, by displacing green plants helps erode the oxygen cycle that made animal life possible in the first place.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by displacing" to clearly indicate that something is being moved from its original position or is being replaced by something else to achieve a specific effect. For instance, "The company improved efficiency by displacing outdated procedures with modern technology".

Common error

Avoid using "by displacing" when the subject isn't directly causing the displacement. Instead of saying "The city was improved by displacing the old buildings", specify who or what caused the displacement: "The developer improved the city by displacing the old buildings".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by displacing" functions as a prepositional phrase, often serving as an adverbial modifier. It indicates the method or means by which an action is carried out. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for describing the act of replacing something from its position or function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

37%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by displacing" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe the method of achieving an outcome through relocation or replacement. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in diverse contexts such as science, news and media, and more technical fields. It's important to ensure the subject is actively causing the displacement and to avoid using it in overly informal settings. Alternatives include ""through substitution"" or ""by relocating"", but the best choice depends on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by substituting

Focuses on exchanging one element for another.

by supplanting

Implies replacing something, often with the intention of taking its position or role.

through substitution

Emphasizes the act of replacing something with an alternative.

through replacement

Emphasizes the process of substituting one thing for another.

via relocation

Focuses on the action of moving something to a different place.

by relocating

Highlights a change in position or place.

through moving

Emphasizes the action of physically shifting or relocating something.

by shifting

Highlights a slight change in position or emphasis.

in place of

Indicates using one thing instead of another.

instead of

Suggests an alternative to something else.

FAQs

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

You can use "by displacing" to show that something is being moved from its original place or being replaced. For example, "Renewable energy reduces carbon emissions "by displacing" fossil fuels".

What are some alternatives to "by displacing"?

Some alternatives to "by displacing" include phrases like "through substitution", "by relocating", or "by supplanting", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "displacing by" instead of "by displacing"?

No, the correct order is "by displacing". The preposition "by" comes before the gerund "displacing" to indicate the means or method used to achieve a particular outcome.

What's the difference between "by displacing" and "by replacing"?

"By displacing" implies moving something from its original location or function, whereas "by replacing" simply means substituting one thing for another. Displacing can sometimes imply a more forceful or significant change.