by other weapons

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by other weapons" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to alternative means or methods of achieving something, particularly in a context involving conflict or competition. Example: "The army was forced to adapt its strategy and engage the enemy by other weapons when traditional tactics failed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Forensic Science International

The Guardian

Wikipedia

The New York Times

Vice

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The device can be altered to be used in the future to investigate trauma caused by other weapons.

Forensic Science International

Their parents say they were killed because they had seen Mladic or his security detail, and a second inquiry has since found they were shot by other weapons.

The Guardian

It showed that the weapons had been dropped, struck by other weapons and carried on a truck that slid down a hill and toppled over.

The Guardian

Like many obsolete Home Guard weapons, it was eventually replaced by other weapons, such as the 2-pounder anti tank gun.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Other women have had their organs deliberately destroyed by knives or other weapons.

The New York Times

"Keep in mind, we'd been chased by chainsaws, holding other weapons, all kinds of stuff all night, and it was all fake," Yochim told the Tennessean.

Vice

The inquiry is examining the role of the UK government in seeking compensation for victims of IRA attacks that were made possible by the provision of Semtex and other weapons by the former Gaddafi regime.

The Guardian

Demonstrations of lethality by the Javelin and other weapons are profoundly appreciated here.

The New York Times

Its aggressive tactics, it says, are justified by the need to protect Israeli forces, and Hamas is to blame for civilian deaths by hiding rockets and other weapons in mosques.

The Economist

At least one man was killed and 10 others wounded by guns, knives and other weapons yesterday when a motorcycle and tattoo exposition on Long Island erupted into what the police described as a vicious battle between rival bike gangs.

The New York Times

An alarming problem was the attack on firefighters with bricks and other weapons, by residents who saw the presence of the mostly white firefighters as an intrusion, as they battled fires in black and Hispanic neighborhoods.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by other weapons", ensure the context clearly establishes what the primary or expected methods are to highlight the contrast.

Common error

Avoid using "by other weapons" when referring to slightly different versions of the same weapon type; instead, reserve it for situations where entirely different categories of tools or methods are employed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by other weapons" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb. It indicates the means or instrument used to perform an action, often implying a deviation from the expected or primary method. Ludwig's examples showcase this in contexts of conflict, investigation, and replacement.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by other weapons" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase that describes the use of alternative tools or methods, typically in situations involving conflict or competition. As indicated by Ludwig, its usage is correct and can be found across different contexts, most notably in News & Media. While “by other weapons” is not overly common, using alternatives such as “through alternative arms” or “via different weaponry” can provide nuanced variations depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through alternative arms

Replaces "weapons" with "arms" emphasizing the tools used.

via different weaponry

Changes "other" to "different" and "weapons" to "weaponry" for a more formal tone.

using various armaments

Substitutes "weapons" with "armaments", providing a more technical feel.

with alternate implements

Emphasizes that the instruments used are not the primary or expected ones.

by means of substitutes

Focuses on the substitution aspect of the weapons used.

through unconventional instruments

Highlights the unexpected or unusual nature of the tools.

utilizing indirect methods of engagement

Shifts the focus to the strategic approach.

employing unorthodox strategies

Emphasizes that the methods used diverge from the standard.

with different tools

Simplifies the phrase focusing on the variety of tools.

using alternative resources

Broadens the concept to include any kind of resource.

FAQs

How can I use "by other weapons" in a sentence?

You can use "by other weapons" to indicate the use of alternative means, especially in conflict or competition. For instance, "The initial strategy failed, so they had to engage the enemy "by other weapons"".

What are some alternatives to saying "by other weapons"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "through alternative arms", "via different weaponry", or "using various armaments".

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "by other weapons"?

While grammatically sound, "by other weapons" might be too specific in contexts where the means aren't literally weapons. In those cases, more general phrases like "by different means" might be better.

What's the difference between "by other weapons" and "with different tools"?

"By other weapons" typically implies a conflict or competition context where "weapons" are instruments used to gain an advantage. "With different tools" is a more general phrase that can apply to any situation where alternative implements are used.