by suppressing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by suppressing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the action of preventing or restraining something from being expressed or occurring. Example: "The organization achieved its goals by suppressing dissenting opinions among its members."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The high expression level of REX1 in stem cells protects cell differentiation by suppressing p38 MAPK activation via MKK3 suppression and by suppressing NOTCH and STAT3 signaling.

Plosone

By suppressing the report.

The New York Times

By suppressing FIAF, B. theta allows fat deposition to increase.

The New York Times - Magazine

A similar goal could theoretically be achieved by suppressing the proteins with drugs, scientists say.

The Guardian

The plan begins by suppressing West Street beneath Chambers Street and Battery Park.

The New York Times

The legal route aims to minimise financial risk, and avoid a media firestorm, by suppressing information.

The Guardian

On the other hand, monopolies can go too far by suppressing innovation and keeping prices high.

The New York Times

"No democracy has ever been made stronger by suppressing evidence of its own misconduct".

The New York Times

By suppressing the immune system, depression may render people more vulnerable to infectious diseases.

The New York Times - Health

All the oral contraceptives work by suppressing the pituitary hormones that prompt the ovaries to release eggs ripe for fertilization.

The New York Times - Science

"Those suspected of vigilantism would not be prevented from behaving in an abhorrent way simply by suppressing his name".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by suppressing" to clearly indicate that an action is being prevented or restrained. For example, "The spread of misinformation was controlled by suppressing false reports."

Common error

Avoid stringing together multiple clauses using "by suppressing". Break down complex sentences to improve clarity. Instead of "The company increased profits by suppressing costs by reducing staff and by streamlining operations", try "The company increased profits through cost reduction, achieved by reducing staff and streamlining operations".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by suppressing" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase of means. It modifies a verb to explain how an action is performed or a result is achieved. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively indicates the action of preventing or restraining something from being expressed or occurring.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

43%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by suppressing" is a versatile and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate that something is being prevented or controlled. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is useful for showing how a particular outcome is achieved through the act of restraining or inhibiting. It appears frequently in scientific and news contexts, with a neutral to formal tone. Alternatives such as "through inhibition" or "via curtailment" can be used for stylistic variation. When writing, ensure clarity by avoiding overuse in complex sentences. The phrase is a common tool for expressing causality and control.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through repression of

Uses 'repression' to highlight the forceful suppression of something.

through inhibition

Changes the preposition from 'by' to 'through' and uses the noun form 'inhibition' of the verb 'suppress'.

inhibition by

Inverts the structure to emphasize the concept of inhibition.

via curtailment

Employs 'via' as a preposition and 'curtailment', a noun, to indicate a reduction or limitation.

by way of subduing

Replaces 'suppressing' with 'subduing', which suggests bringing something under control.

through mitigating

Employs 'mitigating' which suggests reducing the severity of something.

by means of restraint

Replaces 'suppressing' with 'restraint', focusing on the act of holding something back.

by holding back

Employs a phrasal verb to convey the idea of preventing something from moving forward or being expressed.

through the act of stifling

Uses a more descriptive noun phrase to replace "suppressing", emphasizing the act of smothering or silencing.

by keeping down

Uses a phrasal verb to indicate control or dominance.

FAQs

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

Use "by suppressing" to show that something is being controlled, inhibited, or prevented. For example, "The government controlled dissent "by suppressing" free speech."

What are some alternatives to "by suppressing"?

You can use alternatives like "through inhibition", "via curtailment", or "through repression of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "by suppressing" or "through suppressing"?

"By suppressing" is generally more common and grammatically sound. "Through suppressing" is less conventional. Using a noun form like "through suppression" or "through inhibition" is often clearer.

What is the difference between "by suppressing" and "by limiting"?

"By suppressing" implies a stronger action of preventing or stopping something, whereas "by limiting" suggests setting boundaries or restrictions. "By suppressing" is a more forceful way to control something. For example, the growth was controlled "by suppressing" the enzyme; the effects were reduced "by limiting" exposure.