by how much

USAGE SUMMARY

"by how much" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to ask for an amount or degree of difference. For example: "By how much have energy prices increased this year?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By how much?

The New York Times - Sports

By how much is unclear.

The Economist

He did not say by how much.

The New York Times

The contentious issue is: by how much?

The Economist

By how much, nobody's quite sure.

The New York Times

But by how much, no one knows.

The New York Times - Magazine

By how much will be crucial.

The Economist

By how much, and by what means?

The New Yorker

I don't know by how much".

The New York Times

The question is, by how much?

The New York Times

It is rarely recognised by how much.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by how much", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being measured or compared. This avoids ambiguity and makes your question more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "by how much" in isolation. Always provide the necessary context to make the question clear, such as "By how much did sales increase this quarter?" instead of simply "By how much?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by how much" functions as an interrogative adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or clause to inquire about the degree, extent, or quantity of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a standard way to ask for a quantitative difference.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by how much" serves as an interrogative adverbial phrase used to inquire about the magnitude, extent, or degree of something, particularly a difference or change. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and suitable for general use. It is frequently used in news and media, as well as in scientific and formal business contexts, indicating its versatility across different registers. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, providing clear context is crucial for avoiding ambiguity. Related phrases include "to what extent" and "by what amount". Overall, "by how much" is a common and useful phrase for eliciting specific quantitative information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by what amount

A more literal rephrasing, focusing on the numerical difference or quantity.

by what degree

Similar to "to what extent" but more focused on precise measurement or gradation.

to what extent

This alternative uses a more formal tone and explicitly asks about the degree or scope of something.

what the difference is

This is a simpler way of asking for the amount of difference between two things.

how significantly

This emphasizes the importance or impact of the quantity or difference in question.

how much greater

This alternative specifically asks about the degree of increase or superiority.

how considerably

This highlights that the amount or degree is noteworthy or substantial.

in what proportion

This phrase is more mathematically inclined, asking about the relative size of a part to a whole.

by a certain margin

This implies a measurable gap or difference between two values.

what's the magnitude

This alternative asks about the size or scale of something, often used for abstract concepts.

FAQs

How can I use "by how much" in a sentence?

Use "by how much" to inquire about the amount or degree of difference. For example, "By how much did the company's profits increase this year?"

What phrases are similar to "by how much"?

Alternatives include "to what extent", "by what amount", or "how significantly", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "by how much" in formal writing?

Yes, "by how much" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly when seeking precise quantitative information. It is widely used in news, business, and academic contexts.

What's the difference between "by how much" and "how much"?

"By how much" implies a comparison or difference, while "how much" simply asks about a quantity. For instance, "By how much did prices increase?" versus "How much does this cost?".