by how big

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by how big" is not standard in written English and may be considered awkward or unclear.
It could be used in contexts where you are asking for a measurement or comparison of size, but it is better to rephrase for clarity. Example: "Can you explain by how big the difference is between the two models?"

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Elias was amazed by how big it was.

The New Yorker

"Frankly, I was surprised by how big the effect was," Uzzi told me.

The New Yorker

Many financial analysts were surprised not by how big his stake was, but by how small.

The New York Times - Magazine

I was blown away by how big it sounded at that tempo," recalls Nada.

The Guardian - Music

"I was overwhelmed by how big the school was and felt lost," Dickau said of Washington.

The New York Times - Sports

"We were blown away by how big it was," Ms. Rudnick said, "but it wasn't getting a ton of light".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

And they are bewildered by how big-money interest groups seem to sprout out of nowhere -- with no clue of how they are financed.

The New York Times

Swift's album triumphed in a group that also featured Piece By Piece by Kelly Clarkson, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful by Florence + the Machine, Uptown Special by Mark Ronson, and Before This World by James Taylor.

The Guardian - Music

By E. Marcy The New Yorker, September 29 , 1928P. 15 Actor from Lithuania, arriving here, is asked by reporter how big his country is.

The New Yorker

For example, she introduced a unit on whales by asking: How big is a blue whale?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The New Yorker, September 29 , 1928P. 15 Actor from Lithuania, arriving here, is asked by reporter how big his country is.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by how big", ensure the context provides a clear comparison or measurement. For example, "Assess success not by how big you become, but by the impact you create."

Common error

Avoid using "by how big" in contexts where the intended meaning could be unclear. For example, instead of "The challenge was defined by how big it seemed", specify what aspect of the challenge seemed large: "The challenge was defined by the seemingly insurmountable scale of the task."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by how big" functions as an adverbial phrase introducing a clause that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It typically describes the degree or extent to which something is affected or measured by size. According to Ludwig, while acceptable, it may sometimes sound awkward.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by how big" is an acceptable expression used to quantify the impact of size or magnitude in various contexts. While grammatical and frequently used across different domains, as indicated by Ludwig's examples, its usage can sometimes be improved by prioritizing clarity and explicitness. Source analysis reveals its common occurrence in news and media, with acceptable usage across many different sources. To enhance your writing, ensure "by how big" introduces a clear comparison or measurement, and consider alternatives like "regarding the size of" or "concerning the magnitude of" to achieve more precise communication. Ludwig AI considers the phrase usable, but you should pay attention on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarding the size of

Focuses on the physical dimensions, similar to assessing size.

concerning the magnitude of

Emphasizes the importance or impact of something's size.

in relation to the scale of

Highlights the proportionality or relative size.

considering the dimensions of

Refers to specific measurements or spatial extent.

with respect to the extent of

Focuses on the reach or scope of something's size.

taking into account the volume of

Relates to the capacity or amount of space occupied.

as regards the vastness of

Emphasizes the immensity or enormity of size.

in terms of the scope of

Highlights the range or breadth of something's size.

pertaining to the bulk of

Focuses on the overall mass or quantity.

relative to the measure of

Addresses the degree or amount of size.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "by how big" to improve clarity?

Consider using alternatives like "regarding the size of", "concerning the magnitude of", or "in relation to the scale of" for improved clarity, depending on the specific context.

Is "by how big" grammatically correct?

While acceptable, "by how big" can sometimes sound awkward. Reframing the sentence to be more explicit about what is being measured can enhance readability.

In what situations is "by how big" most appropriate?

"By how big" is suitable when comparing the sizes or scales of different entities or concepts. For example, "Success isn't measured "by how big" you become, but how many lives you impact."

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using "by how big"?

Avoid using "by how big" in vague or abstract contexts where the measured attribute is not explicitly defined. Ensure the sentence clearly indicates what aspect of size is being considered.