by right

USAGE SUMMARY

"by right" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means something that is just or fair based on established rules, principles, or laws. Example: "By right, she should have inherited the family estate, but her greedy uncle found a way to claim it for himself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

"I'm scraping by right now," he said.

The New York Times

(Down, up) followed by right; and (Down, down) followed by right.

Yale University

Is the permit renewable by right?

The New York Times

This happiness was mine by right.

The Washington Post

They were distrusted by right and left alike.

The Economist

Nationalistic slogans are uttered by right and left.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

It should be shunned by right-thinking society.

Independent

By right-wingers?

Huffington Post

To ceaseless assaults by right-wing lobbyists?

Huffington Post

Many have been individually targeted by right-wing groups.

Vice

They're joined by right-wing megadonors Charles and David Koch.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by right" to clearly express that something is due or justified according to a specific set of rules, laws, or principles. Ensure the context makes clear what those rules or principles are.

Common error

Avoid using "by right" without specifying the source or basis of the entitlement. It can lead to ambiguity if it's not clear what system of rules or ethics is being referenced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by right" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, indicating that something is possessed, claimed, or done legitimately based on established rules or principles. Ludwig's examples demonstrate usage in legal, moral, and even whimsical contexts, highlighting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by right" is a versatile and grammatically sound prepositional phrase that signifies a legitimate claim or entitlement based on established rules or principles. As indicated by Ludwig, it enjoys common usage across varied contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia, with neutral to formal register depending on application. While alternatives such as "rightfully" or "justly" exist, "by right" distinctly emphasizes the foundational rules granting the entitlement. When using it, ensure clarity by specifying the basis of the right to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by all rights

Emphasizes that something should happen according to established rules or expectations.

rightfully

Similar to "justly" but more explicitly implies legal or moral entitlement.

by entitlement

Highlights the aspect of having a legitimate claim or privilege.

justly

A more concise adverb emphasizing fairness and moral correctness.

deservedly

Emphasizes that someone or something has earned or merits a particular outcome.

as a matter of right

Focuses on the legal or formal basis of an entitlement.

by virtue of

Indicates that something is a consequence of a particular quality or fact.

with good reason

Indicates that there are valid and defensible grounds for a particular action or belief.

in accordance with justice

A formal and emphatic way of stating that something is aligned with principles of fairness.

by law

Specifically denotes what is permitted or required by legal statutes.

FAQs

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

You can use "by right" to indicate that someone is entitled to something based on a legal or moral principle. For example, "That title was his "by right"."

What's the difference between "by right" and "rightfully"?

"By right" emphasizes the existence of a rule or principle granting entitlement, while "rightfully" focuses on the moral correctness of the entitlement.

Is it appropriate to use "by right" in formal writing?

Yes, "by right" is appropriate for formal writing. It's often used in legal, academic, and professional contexts to denote legitimate entitlement. See Ludwig to check out real-world examples.

Which is correct, "by right" or "by rights"?

Both ""by right"" and "by rights" are valid, but "by right" is more common. "By rights" often suggests a hypothetical or conditional entitlement.