by human means

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by human means" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or processes that are accomplished through human effort or intervention, as opposed to automated or mechanical methods. Example: "The project was completed by human means, relying on the skills and expertise of the team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

After all, the Zionist movement sought to achieve by human means what Jews for two millenniums considered to be God's work alone: the gathering of the diaspora in the land of Israel.

The New York Times

Rocket Fuel's AI autopilot discovered these otherwise inscrutable audience attributes that couldn't possibly be connected by human means.

Forbes

On a yearly basis in the United States, typically more than six times the number of wildfires are caused by human means such as campfires and controlled agricultural burns than by natural means.

Wikipedia

However, in any given year there could be far more acres burned by wildfires that are started by natural means than by human means as well as vice-versa.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The ability to insert annotations, marked to be ignored by the translator program but readable by a human, meant that a well-annotated program could be read in a certain sense by people with no programming knowledge at all.

Encyclopedia Britannica

You have to hire people through human means, by engaging with them as people rather than as bundles of skills and professional credentials.

Forbes

Could any kind of programmed machine ever be programmed to know what a human means by "The love of God"?

HuffPost

At the end of the day, moderation powered by human judgement means that interpretations of intent or meaning can differ.

The Guardian - Opinion

Veracode has automated app security tools, which, combined with uTest's security testing performed by human testers, means the two will be able to offer a pretty handy service.

TechCrunch

Would people place more trust in an android if they perceived it to be more "human?" By "human", I mean that the robot is designed to have physical imperfections that most humans have, like freckles or pimples.

Yale University

Shipping containers — those steel crates the size of boxcars that can carry products from Shanghai to Chicago without ever being touched by human hands — meant that the Port of New Orleans no longer needed thousands of longshoremen.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by human means", ensure the context clearly contrasts it with automated or supernatural processes for maximum impact.

Common error

Avoid using "by human means" when describing processes that are inherently human-driven. It's redundant to state the obvious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by human means" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify how an action is performed. It emphasizes the instrumentality of human agency in achieving a particular outcome. Ludwig provides examples that illustrate this function.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Encyclopedias

30%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by human means" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase that emphasizes the role of human effort in achieving a particular outcome. According to Ludwig, while its frequency is rare, it's used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Wiki, and Encyclopedias. When using it, ensure that the context appropriately contrasts human effort with other possible methods, and avoid redundancy by not using it in contexts where human involvement is already implied. Consider alternatives like "through human effort" or "via human intervention" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through human effort

Emphasizes the exertion of human energy and skill.

via human intervention

Highlights the act of humans stepping in to influence or change something.

by manual operation

Focuses on the physical aspect of human involvement.

through human agency

Underscores the role of humans as active agents.

by human action

Highlights that human action is what's enabling the process.

with human hands

Highlights manual creation or construction.

by people

Directly states human involvement.

through human resources

Highlights that human resources is what's enabling the process.

by personal means

Emphasizes individual human effort, not automated means.

through manpower

Focuses on the strength and number of people involved.

FAQs

What does "by human means" imply?

The phrase "by human means" suggests that something is achieved through human effort, skill, or intervention, as opposed to automated, natural, or divine processes.

How can I use "by human means" in a sentence?

You can use it to emphasize the human element in a process, such as, "The project was completed "by human means", relying on the expertise of the team."

What are some alternatives to "by human means"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "through human effort", "via human intervention", or "by manual operation".

Is it always necessary to specify "by human means"?

No, specifying "by human means" is only necessary when contrasting human effort with other methods, such as automation or supernatural forces. Otherwise, it can be redundant.