by graduating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by graduating" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the action of completing a degree or program, often in the context of discussing achievements or future plans. Example: "She plans to secure a job in her field by graduating from university next spring."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

I was never released from my "sacred sisterhood" except by graduating and moving away.

The New Yorker

At 18, Booty is apparently charting new football territory by graduating a year early.

The New York Times - Sports

It's not that one cannot succeed by graduating from a no-name university, but rather that Ivy Leaguers don't have to struggle so hard.

The New York Times

A free concert by graduating seniors on Tuesday at 8 p.m. in Reisinger Concert Hall offers a look at how creativity is nurtured at the college.

The New York Times

The son of Willard Blackinton Luther and Josephine Crocker Luther of Cambridge, MA, he was a graduate of the Fessenden School, followed by graduating in 1949 from The Loomis School and the Harvard Business School in 1962.

The New York Times

This week, Bloomingdale marks its 50th year by graduating 100 4-year-olds, 98 percent of them black and Hispanic and all poor (to qualify, a family of three must earn less than $18,300).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Recovered volumes of produced oil and water were measured by graduated cylinder.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

ATLANTIC CITY Works by students graduating from Richard Stockton College.

The New York Times

The lyrics were recited in unison by the graduating class.

Huffington Post

They are run by graduates.

The Economist

On-site evaluations were conducted by graduate students.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by graduating" when you want to emphasize the action of completing a degree or program as a means to achieve a specific outcome. For example, "She plans to improve her career prospects by graduating with honors."

Common error

Avoid using "by graduating" when the context requires a passive construction. For example, instead of "He was hired by graduating", use "He was hired after graduating" or "He was hired upon graduation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by graduating" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb. It indicates the means or method by which an action is accomplished. As Ludwig AI states, this is a grammatically correct phrase to use.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by graduating" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase that signifies completing a degree or program as a means to achieve a specific goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and suitable for various writing styles. It appears most frequently in news and media, science, and wiki sources. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the cause-and-effect relationship you intend to convey, and avoid misusing it in passive constructions. Alternatives include "upon graduation" or "after graduating", but the best option depends on the nuance you wish to express.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon graduation

This alternative uses a noun-based phrase to indicate the point of graduation rather than the action of graduating.

after graduating

This alternative uses a different preposition to indicate the action follows the graduation.

having graduated

This alternative emphasizes the completed state of graduation.

on graduating

This option uses 'on' to denote a specific time.

through graduation

This implies a process or journey that ends at graduation.

post-graduation

Similar to "upon graduation", but emphasizes the period following graduation.

with a degree

Focuses on the outcome (having a degree) rather than the process of graduating.

with graduation

Uses "with" to link something to the event of graduation.

after completion of studies

This is a more formal way of saying after graduating.

subsequent to graduating

A more formal and less common way to say after graduating.

FAQs

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

Use "by graduating" to indicate that completing a degree or program is the means to achieve a goal. For example, "You can increase your job opportunities by graduating with a degree in computer science."

What can I say instead of "by graduating"?

You can use alternatives like "upon graduation", "after graduating", or "with a degree" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "by graduating" or "through graduating"?

"By graduating" is the correct and more common phrase to indicate that graduating is the means to achieve something. "Through graduating" isn't a standard English expression.

What's the difference between "by graduating" and "after graduating"?

"By graduating" emphasizes that the action of graduating is what enables a subsequent outcome. "After graduating" simply indicates a sequence of events. For example, "She got a job by graduating with honors" (her graduation helped her get the job), versus "She traveled to Europe after graduating" (graduation preceded her trip).