by how large

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by how large" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you are asking for the extent or degree of something, but it is better to use more common expressions. Example: "Can you clarify by how large the increase in sales was last quarter?"

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

We thought they would be younger, and we were also surprised by how large the female share is (70%).

The Guardian

Watching Trump and Clinton rallies on television, he was struck by how large and enthusiastic Trump's crowds appeared.

The New Yorker

If the recent recession has made rich countries less willing to part with their cash, this could raise tensions in Copenhagen But which countries must make the cuts and by how large should they be?

The Guardian

To that end, Mr. Tong selected the bloggers not by how large their followings were, as he did in February, but based on what he called their "maturity" levels, and their focus on women's wear, men's wear, accessories or beauty.

The New York Times

Both companies, reached on the phone, were impressed by how large Dropbox is — 80,000 paying businesses and hundreds of millions of users.

TechCrunch

Scientists have long been mystified by how large, complex organic molecules like hydrocarbons form so abundantly in the near-vacuum of space, especially when their atomic building blocks are sparse and might interact only rarely.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Although this condition is very simple, it provides significant insight by showing how large a transmission disadvantage must be to prevent invasion by a new, rare antigenic variant.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

You can easily work this out by seeing how large the photos you are taking are, and multiplying this figure by the amount of photos you are likely to take in a single outing.

WikiHow

Or they might work out, by seeing how large networks of nerve cells process information, how to build computers in different and better ways.

The Economist

The benefits of exercise are well-known but the experts behind the study said they were taken back by just how large the impact could be, even in later life.

Independent

So, by observing how large these ripples appear in the sky, and comparing that with how large they ought to appear, given their distance, it is possible to deduce how much the microwaves have converged or diverged on their journey to earth.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically correct, consider using more common and direct alternatives like "to what extent" or "by what amount" for clarity and improved readability.

Common error

Avoid using "by how large" in contexts where a simpler phrasing would suffice. Overusing complex sentence structures can make your writing sound unnatural and harder to understand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by how large" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb, expressing the degree or extent of something. Examples found by Ludwig illustrate it being used to inquire about or describe the magnitude of a particular attribute or change.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by how large" is used to inquire about the magnitude, degree, or extent of something. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI indicates that it's not the most common phrasing, and simpler alternatives like "to what extent" or "by how much" are often preferred for increased clarity. Usage analysis reveals its presence across news, scientific, and wiki sources, with a leaning towards neutral to formal contexts. Given its infrequent use and the availability of more direct alternatives, writers should consider whether "by how large" is the most effective choice for their intended audience and purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by how much

More common way to inquire about quantity or amount.

to what extent

Replaces the entire phrase with a more common idiom for inquiring about the degree or scope of something.

by what amount

Focuses on the numerical or measurable difference, suitable when quantifying changes or variations.

how great

Simple synonym that focuses on the intensity of something.

how significant

Shifts the focus to the importance or consequence of the size or quantity in question.

how substantial

Emphasizes the considerable or important nature of the size, implying a meaningful quantity.

how extensive

Highlights the breadth or reach of something, suitable for discussing range or coverage.

how considerable

Indicates a size or amount that is worthy of attention or significant in some way.

to what degree

Offers a more formal alternative to inquire about the intensity or level of something.

what is the magnitude

Replaces the original with a more formal expression referring to the size or extent of something.

FAQs

What does "by how large" mean?

The phrase "by how large" asks about the extent, degree, or amount of something. It inquires about the size or magnitude of a particular aspect or change.

What can I say instead of "by how large"?

You can use alternatives like "to what extent", "by what amount", or "how significant" depending on the specific context.

Is "by how large" grammatically correct?

The phrase "by how large" is grammatically acceptable but it is more common to use alternatives like "to what degree" or "to what extent" for improved clarity.

When is it appropriate to use "by how large"?

It is appropriate to use "by how large" when you want to know the degree or size of something. However, consider whether a simpler phrase like "how big" or "how much" might be more effective.