by invoking

USAGE SUMMARY

"by invoking" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone evoking or calling upon a certain object, power, or person. For example, "The priest blessed the room by invoking the gods".

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Motivating voter turnout by invoking the self.

Cornell University

Practical tracking is established by invoking Lyapunov stability analysis.

Neurocomputing

Trudeau responded by invoking the War Measures Act.

The New Yorker

Quantum mechanical considerations resolve this dilemma by invoking hybridization.

Encyclopedia Britannica

by invoking a model for the spinel solid solution.

Journal of Alloys and Compounds

By invoking the boarding house, the project constructs suburban space that breaks the status quo.

Yale University

Complete documentation can be found by invoking the Help->jEdit Help menu item within jEdit.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

What does a contemporary American mean by invoking civility as the new virtue?

University of California, Berkeley

Today, Japan defends its controversial whaling expeditions by invoking tradition-but what was the historical reality?

Stanford University

The majority supports this conclusion by invoking, without explanation, the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Cornell University

Michels explains it by invoking the behavior of a two-year-old.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by invoking" when you want to express that a principle, law, authority, or concept is being called upon to support an argument, explain a situation, or justify an action. Ensure that the entity being invoked is clearly identified.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice when using "by invoking". Instead of saying "The rule was invoked by the manager", opt for a more direct and active construction: "The manager invoked the rule".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by invoking" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, adverb, or adjective. According to Ludwig, it indicates the action of calling upon something—a principle, law, or idea—to support an argument or justify a position. This is evident in examples such as "Trudeau responded by invoking the War Measures Act."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

33%

News & Media

32%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by invoking" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate the act of calling upon something, such as a principle, law, or authority, to support an argument or justify an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It is commonly found in academic, scientific, and news contexts, suggesting a formal to neutral register. To enhance clarity, ensure the entity being invoked is clearly identified and avoid overuse of the passive voice. Related phrases include "by appealing to" and "through the use of", which can provide alternative ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by appealing to

Suggests making a request or argument based on a particular standard or authority.

on the basis of

Focuses on the justification or foundation for an action or belief.

through the use of

Focuses on the method or tool employed, rather than the act of calling upon something.

by employing

Focuses on the active utilization of a resource or strategy.

by utilizing

Similar to "by employing" but can suggest a more resourceful or efficient use.

by means of

Emphasizes the instrumentality of something in achieving a result.

with reference to

Highlights using something as a point of comparison or basis for understanding.

through application of

Highlights the process of putting something into effect or use.

in light of

Indicates considering something as relevant or influential when making a decision or interpretation.

by resorting to

Implies that other options were exhausted before using this method.

FAQs

How can I use "by invoking" in a sentence?

You can use "by invoking" to show that someone is calling upon a principle, law, or idea. For example, "The lawyer defended his client "by invoking" the Fifth Amendment".

What does "by invoking" mean?

"By invoking" means to cite or appeal to something (like a law, principle, or authority) to support an argument, justify an action, or explain a situation.

What are some alternatives to "by invoking"?

Alternatives include phrases like "by appealing to", "through the use of", or "by means of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "by invoking" in formal writing?

Yes, "by invoking" is appropriate for formal writing. It's often used in academic, legal, and professional contexts to indicate the use of an authority or principle.