by stapling them to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by stapling them to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the action of attaching items together using a stapler, often in the context of organizing documents or materials. Example: "To keep the reports organized, please submit them by stapling them to the cover sheet."

✓ Grammatically correct

Arts

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mr. Ryman has installed these works, simply but effectively, by stapling them to the wall.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Until this week, I thought African governments were the most obsessed with paperwork (I once visited an office in Sierra Leone where papers were "filed" by stapling them directly to the wall), but now I know that Africa has nothing on Belarus.

Huffington Post

The socks may be easier to attach by stapling them in place.

WikiHow

They'd cut out clipping from newspapers and staple them to a three-by-five card.

Vice

It hit the headlines in November of 2015 after the Brunswick Centre, a local HIV and sexual health charity, had residents up in arms by stapling condoms to trees.

Vice

Or if you want new members, and if your allowed to, give out some flyers in school or advertise your club by stapling the posters to trees or telephone poles (if permitted).

WikiHow

Hui Chi Chin creates dynamic spatial tension by stapling nylon stockings to the wall in a complex arrangement of interconnected shapes.

The New York Times

Or if you want new members, and if you're allowed, give out some fliers in school or advertise your club by stapling the posters to trees or bulletin boards around your community.

WikiHow

In one dark room open to the street there are two men recycling boxes by turning them inside out and re-stapling them.

Forbes

Manchester United may have dreamed up an alternative by "stapling" nonvoting preference shares to regular voting ones.

The New York Times

It is inserted through the mouth to repair a faulty esophageal valve by stapling a piece of stomach to it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a physical process, be specific about the material being stapled and the surface to which it is being attached to ensure clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "by stapling them to" without specifying what "them" refers to; always ensure the referent is clear to the reader to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by stapling them to" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating the method or means by which something is attached or secured. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. This is supported by the examples where stapling is used for physical attachment.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Arts

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by stapling them to" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to describe the method of attaching items. As stated by Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. Although its usage is relatively rare, it appears across various contexts, from news and media to instructional guides, indicating its versatility. To enhance clarity, it's best to ensure that the referent of "them" is explicitly stated. While the register is generally neutral, context dictates its overall appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attaching them with staples

Replaces 'by stapling' with a more descriptive action, emphasizing the method of attachment.

fastening them using a stapler

Similar meaning, but more explicitly states the tool used for fastening.

affixing them with staples

Uses a more formal verb, 'affixing', to convey a similar meaning.

securing them by stapling

Focuses on the result of the action, which is to 'secure' the items.

joining them with staples

Emphasizes the act of connecting two or more items together.

fixing them in place with staples

Highlights the action of preventing movement by attaching with staples.

binding them together with staples

Focuses on the act of bringing items together into a bound unit.

tacking them on with staples

Uses 'tacking' for a quicker or less permanent method of attachment.

pinning them up with staples

Implies attaching something to a vertical surface.

clamping them with staples

Suggests a strong, firm attachment.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "by stapling them to" to sound more formal?

You could use phrases such as "by affixing them to" or "by securing them to" to create a more formal tone.

What are some alternatives to "by stapling them to" for casual writing?

In a more casual context, you might say "stapling them on" or "tacking them up".

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "By stapling them to"?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence with "By stapling them to" can sometimes sound awkward. Consider rephrasing the sentence to improve flow. For example, you can try using the phrase in the middle of the sentence for better clarity.

How do I make it clear what "them" refers to when using "by stapling them to"?

Ensure that the noun or phrase "them" replaces is explicitly stated earlier in the sentence or in a preceding sentence. Without clear context, the meaning becomes ambiguous.