by some means

USAGE SUMMARY

"by some means" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is usually used to express the idea that something was done or accomplished in some unspecified way. For example, "He had managed to bring himself success by some means".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I've had a lot of well-meaning people explain how the copyright deadlock can be "solved" by some means that will make it easier to pay artists and the companies that back them.

The Guardian - Tech

Or you got them by some means.

Cornell University

Then the actual stopping time is adjusted during BNCT by some means like activation foils.

Applied Radiation and Isotopes

"It does imply that there would be an acquisition of Soyuzes by some means," he said.

The New York Times

They begin by believing they can care for it all by some means.

The New York Times - Books

By some means, however, the tribe as such survived and is attested in imperial times.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In fact, spectral modeling synthesis (SMS) is based on synthesizing the short-time spectrum directly by some means.

Stanford University

The resulting sample then needs to be reduced in size by some means that preserves its representative character.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Entering the atmosphere the electrons trigger by some means, a second atmospheric discharge that produces the 'ghost' group.

Advances in Space Research

Also, some of the seed the researchers did not want to keep was discarded in bulk seed bins to later be incinerated or by some means destroyed.

Cornell University

A significant improvement could still be made if the surface emissivity of the thermal shields could be increased by some means during the post-accident period.

Fusion Engineering and Design

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by some means" when you want to indicate that something was accomplished without specifying the exact method. This is particularly useful when the method is unknown, unimportant, or confidential.

Common error

Avoid using "by some means" excessively in highly formal or technical writing where specificity is expected. In such cases, consider providing more detail about the method or process involved, or use a more precise alternative phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by some means" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the manner in which an action is performed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a commonly used expression to denote an unspecified method.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

32%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by some means" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate that something was achieved through an unspecified method. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and frequently employed across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. While it maintains a neutral register, it's essential to avoid overuse in contexts that demand specificity. Alternatives such as "in some way" or "somehow or other" can provide similar meanings. As highlighted by Ludwig examples, this phrase is valuable when the exact process is unknown, unimportant, or deliberately omitted, making it a useful addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in some way

This alternative is simpler and more direct, focusing on the existence of a method without specifying its nature.

somehow or other

This alternative emphasizes the uncertainty or lack of specific knowledge about the method used.

by one method or another

This alternative highlights the availability of multiple methods, though none are specified.

through some mechanism

This alternative suggests a process or system is involved, often implying a more structured approach.

using some approach

This alternative emphasizes the application of a particular strategy or technique.

via a certain method

This alternative indicates a specific, although unspecified, method of achieving a result.

through an unspecified channel

This alternative highlights the unknown route or medium through which something is achieved.

by an unknown process

This alternative stresses the lack of knowledge about the steps or procedures involved.

by any means necessary

This alternative suggests a willingness to use any method, regardless of ethical considerations, to achieve a goal.

in a manner not specified

This alternative is more formal and explicitly states that the method is not being identified.

FAQs

How can I use "by some means" in a sentence?

You can use "by some means" to indicate that something was achieved without specifying how. For example, "The tribe survived "by some means", even after the defeat."

What are some alternatives to saying "by some means"?

Alternatives include "in some way", "somehow or other", or "through some mechanism", depending on the context.

Is "by some means" formal or informal?

"By some means" is generally considered neutral and can be used in various contexts, but it may sound less precise in highly formal or technical writing.

What does "by some means" imply about the method used?

"By some means" implies that the specific method is either unknown, unimportant, or being deliberately left unspecified. It suggests a lack of detail about how something was accomplished.