by haste

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by haste" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used to describe actions taken quickly or in a hurried manner, but it is more typical to use "in haste" instead. Example: "He completed the project by haste, resulting in several mistakes."

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But the pedigree of the Government's, policy is suspect: it is by haste out of desperation.

The Guardian

His dismissal fanned emerging worries that the quality and safety of the country's vast high-speed rail program had been compromised by haste and corruption during construction.

The New York Times

As we sat there, surrounded by haste and commercial reference, we remembered that there used to be plenty of time for Leitzel, Colleano, and Zacchini, and even enough for the sea lion to feel for the right note as he tooted through "America"... View Article Roger Angell, a senior editor and a staff writer, has contributed to The New Yorker since 1944, and became a fiction editor in 1956.

The New Yorker

A view I hear repeatedly from homeless veterans about our society is that it is a rigid place often defined by haste, dysthymia and disgust.

Huffington Post

From the start, the process has been driven more by haste than cautious study, numerous government officials who participated in the process say.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Assemblyman David W. Wolfe of the Education Committee, a Republican, said he was troubled not by the formula's concept, but by the haste the governor wanted on a bill "so complicated and so technical".

The New York Times

Everything here, in contrast, is hobbled by perfunctory haste.

The New Yorker

Some in government, troubled by his haste, see mainly the latter.

The New York Times

In Detroit, the Big Three firms have been embarrassed by the haste with which older white-collar staff have scrambled to take up early-retirement packages.

The Economist

It notes the Latin root vitium means "fault, vice," and defines it first as "to make faulty or defective" with a quotation from William Styron: "The comic impact is vitiated by obvious haste".

The New York Times - Magazine

I find myself intrigued by the haste in the gesture".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using the more common and idiomatic phrase "in haste" as a direct substitute for "by haste" to improve clarity and acceptance among readers. While "by haste" is understandable, it can sound somewhat archaic or unusual.

Common error

Avoid using "by haste" in contexts where a more common preposition like "in" would be more natural. Overusing less common prepositions can make your writing sound stilted or unnatural. Instead of "He acted by haste", use "He acted in haste".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by haste" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe how an action is performed. Although understandable, Ludwig AI suggests it's less conventional than "in haste". Examples show it describing actions influenced by speed or urgency.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "by haste" is grammatically acceptable, it's significantly less common than its counterpart, "in haste". Ludwig AI identifies it as a less conventional phrasing, often found in news and encyclopedic contexts, with a neutral to slightly formal register. It's used to emphasize the speed or urgency of an action. For clearer and more widely accepted writing, consider using "in haste" or other synonyms like "hurriedly" or "quickly".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in haste

Replaces the preposition "by" with "in", which is the more conventional and frequently used preposition in this context. Offers a more standard phrasing.

quickly

Offers a simple and direct adverbial alternative, focusing on the rapidness of the action.

hurriedly

Replaces the entire phrase with an adverb that directly describes the manner of action, emphasizing quickness.

with speed

Uses a different prepositional phrase to convey the element of swiftness but in a slightly more descriptive way.

expeditiously

Substitutes with a formal adverb that signifies efficiency and speed in accomplishing something.

without delay

Replaces "haste" with a phrase indicating the absence of delay, directly focusing on the immediate nature of the action.

in a rush

Emphasizes the hurried and possibly disorganized nature of the action due to time constraints.

promptly

Indicates that something is done without delay, highlighting timeliness rather than sheer speed.

posthaste

An archaic term, injects a sense of historical urgency and formality. Less common in modern usage.

at full speed

Suggests an action executed at the maximum possible velocity, emphasizing the intensity of the swiftness.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "by haste" in a sentence?

You can replace "by haste" with more common alternatives such as "in haste", "hurriedly", or "quickly" depending on the specific context.

Is "by haste" grammatically correct?

While technically grammatically understandable, "by haste" is less common and might sound awkward to some readers. Using "in haste" is generally preferred.

What's the difference between "by haste" and "in haste"?

"In haste" is the idiomatic and widely accepted phrase, while "by haste" is a less common variation. Both convey a sense of acting quickly, but "in haste" is the standard form.

When should I use "by haste" instead of "in haste"?

Unless you have a specific stylistic reason for using a less common phrase, it's generally better to use "in haste". "By haste" might be appropriate in very formal or archaic contexts, but otherwise, it's best to stick with the more conventional phrasing.