by know how

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by know how" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "by know-how"? You can use "by know-how" when referring to practical knowledge or expertise in a particular area or field. Example: "The success of our project was achieved by know-how and experience in the industry."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Now, we're certainly not looking at a Duke Nukem Forever scenario here or anything, but you'd think Square Enix would have figured out by know how to make a game or two, or, at least, not to announce a game half a decade before its eventual release date.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I should by now know how much rice or pasta to cook for four people.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Most marketers by now know how to use these tools and are comfortable using them (just ask them!).

TechCrunch

And I think that's Van Gaal's achievement: to focus on it game by game, know how to adapt and not dream about the title".

BBC

"The food is made by people who know how it should taste," she said.

The New York Times - Travel

By Jenny Allen You know how no one's making kitten heels this year?

The New Yorker

I am not afraid of being governed by those who know how to do things.

The New York Times

MANY of the women lead by example and know how to balance work and family.

The New York Times

"I'm a farmer by nature, I know how to do this," he says.

The Guardian

But I'm surrounded by people who know how to do this.

The Washington Post

But the relationships should be built by people who know how to build them.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "by know how" as it is grammatically incorrect. Opt for clearer and more conventional alternatives such as "knowing how to" or "having the knowledge of how to".

Common error

A common mistake is to use "by know how" when intending to say "knowing how to". Remember that "know-how" can function as a noun, but the phrase requires a verb to correctly express the intended meaning. For instance, instead of saying "They succeeded by know how", say "They succeeded by knowing how to…".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by know how" functions as an adverbial modifier, attempting to describe how something is done. However, as noted by Ludwig, the construction is grammatically incorrect and requires adjustments to convey the intended meaning clearly. "Know-how" itself is a noun, and needs a verb to function properly in this context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by know how" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. Ludwig AI highlights this issue, recommending clearer alternatives. While it appears in some news and media contexts, its infrequency and grammatical problems suggest using more precise and grammatically sound options such as "by knowing how to" or "through expertise". The key is to ensure the sentence clearly articulates how knowledge or skill contributes to the outcome. By adopting these best practices, writers can avoid ambiguity and maintain credibility in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

knowing how to

Focuses on the ability to perform a specific action.

having the knowledge of how to

Emphasizes the possession of information needed to perform a task.

possessing the expertise to

Highlights the specialized skill required.

being skilled in

Emphasizes proficiency in a particular area.

being proficient at

Similar to "being skilled in", but can apply to more general abilities.

knowing the way to

Focuses on understanding a process or method.

being able to

Indicates a general capacity or capability.

having the capacity to

Similar to "being able to", but implies a more innate ability.

being versed in

Suggests a deep understanding and experience in a subject.

understanding how to

Implies comprehension of the method to achieve a goal

FAQs

What is the correct way to express the concept of "by know how"?

The phrase "by know how" is grammatically incorrect. Correct alternatives include "by knowing how to", "through expertise", or "using practical knowledge". For example, instead of "They achieved success by know how", you could say "They achieved success "by knowing how to" apply their skills".

How can I rephrase a sentence that includes "by know how" to make it grammatically sound?

To correct the usage, focus on clarifying the action being performed with the knowledge. Replace "by know how" with phrases like "by utilizing their expertise", "by understanding how to", or "through their knowledge of". For example, change "The problem was solved by know how" to "The problem was solved "by understanding how to" apply the correct procedures".

Is "know-how" an acceptable substitute for "by know how"?

"Know-how" is a noun referring to practical knowledge or skill. You can use it correctly in sentences, but not directly after "by" without a clarifying verb. For example, "Their success came from know-how" is acceptable. However, avoid saying "success came by know how". Instead, say "Success came "through their know-how"".

What are some professional alternatives to the phrase "by know how"?

In professional contexts, opt for formal alternatives that emphasize expertise and skill. Consider using phrases like "through their proficiency", "by leveraging their expertise", or "based on their deep understanding". For example, "The project succeeded by know how" can become "The project succeeded "by leveraging their expertise" in project management".