by removing

USAGE SUMMARY

"by removing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the action of taking something away, either literally or figuratively. For example, "The company relied on cost-saving measures by removing overtime pay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Start by removing email from your phone".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Start by removing the door.

The New York Times

To make torpid by removing sensation.

Harvard University

Start by removing the sink and fixtures.

The New York Times

Combining Units By Removing a Wall Q.

The New York Times

To explore disease prevention and treatment by removing mtDNA mutations.

Cornell University

By removing the emotion it allowed me to go further.

The Guardian

That showed that rare codons work by removing roadblocks.

Harvard University

Unfortunately, the Republicans responded to it by removing Trent Lott.

The New York Times

By removing access, Hackborn is making security worse, not better.

The Guardian - Tech

Groom the plants by removing all those faded, dried leaves.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by removing", ensure that the object being removed is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "by removing the filter" instead of just "by removing".

Common error

Avoid using "by removing" when the action is more accurately described as modifying or altering. "By adjusting" or "by modifying" might be more appropriate if the element is not completely taken away.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by removing" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a gerund. It modifies a verb or clause to indicate the method or means by which an action is performed or a result is achieved. Ludwig shows numerous examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

22%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by removing" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase that functions as a prepositional phrase to indicate the method through which an action is performed. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is frequently used across various contexts, including news, academic writing, and general communication. It's crucial to clearly state what is being removed to avoid ambiguity and to ensure it accurately reflects the cause-and-effect relationship in your writing. While "by removing" is considered correct, be mindful of contexts where alternative phrases like "through elimination of" or "via the deletion of" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by taking away

Highlights the act of taking something away, often implying a subtraction.

through elimination of

Emphasizes the process of getting rid of something, making it slightly more formal.

by getting rid of

Offers a more informal way to express disposal or elimination.

by cutting out

Conveys a sense of abrupt or decisive removal.

by excluding

Focuses on the act of keeping something out, suggesting a deliberate omission.

through the withdrawal of

Suggests a formal retraction or pulling back of something.

by clearing out

Suggests a complete and thorough removal, often for the purpose of cleaning or organizing.

via the deletion of

Focuses on the act of deleting, suggesting a more direct and immediate removal.

by extracting

Implies careful and precise removal, often in a technical sense.

by subtracting

Emphasizes a mathematical reduction, suitable for quantitative contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use "by removing" to show how an action leads to a result, such as "The company improved efficiency "by removing unnecessary steps"".

What are some alternatives to "by removing"?

Alternatives include "through elimination of", "via the deletion of", or "by taking away", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "removing" instead of "by removing"?

While "removing" can be used, "by removing" specifically indicates the method through which a change or effect is achieved. The choice depends on the intended emphasis.

What's the difference between "by removing" and "by eliminating"?

"By removing" is a general term for taking something away, whereas "by eliminating" implies a complete and thorough removal to get rid of something.