by the

USAGE SUMMARY

'by the' is correct and is often used in written English.
For example, you could write, "I was surprised by the harshness of his words."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Trapped by the past.

Independent

By the thousands.

The New York Times

Translated by the IHT.

The New York Times

Politics by the pound.

The New York Times

Congratulations, by the way.

The New Yorker

"He's by the numbers.

The New York Times

Art by the yard?

The New York Times

"Screwed by the world".

The New Yorker

1" by the officers.

The New York Times

Down by the creek.

The New Yorker

"By the freeway entrance?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure clarity by providing a noun or adjective after the prepositional phrase "by the" to avoid ambiguity. For example: "by the sea" or "by the numbers".

Common error

Avoid overusing "by the" in passive voice constructions where the actor is unimportant or unknown. Instead, restructure the sentence to an active voice for a more direct and concise statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by the" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying nouns or verbs. It introduces various relationships, such as location (e.g., "by the sea"), method (e.g., "by the numbers"), or time (e.g., "by the time"). Ludwig AI validates its wide use across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by the" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to establish relationships of location, method, or time. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears across various sources, particularly in news and media. While versatile, clarity is paramount; ensure a well-defined noun or adjective follows "by the" to avoid ambiguity. Although generally neutral, one should avoid overusing it in passive voice constructions to maintain conciseness. Pay attention to context, as alternatives like "via the" or "according to the" might provide more precision. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate "by the" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

via the

Replaces "by" with "via", emphasizing the means or intermediary.

through the

Suggests passage or movement using a different preposition.

according to the

Shifts the focus to attribution or source of information.

depending on the

Emphasizes conditionality based on something else.

in the

Omits "by", focusing on location or inclusion within something.

using the

Highlights the tool or method employed.

on the

Indicates a surface or state related to something.

with the

Focuses on accompaniment or means.

due to the

Highlights causality or reason for something.

because of the

Synonymous with "due to the", emphasizing the cause.

FAQs

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

The phrase "by the" typically introduces a noun or adjective and indicates location, method, or a specific attribute. For example, "by the sea" indicates location, and "by the numbers" indicates a method.

What are some alternatives to "by the" in different contexts?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "via the", "through the", or "according to the" to convey similar meanings.

Is it ever incorrect to use "by the"?

While "by the" is generally correct, overuse in passive voice constructions can make sentences less direct. Consider using active voice or alternative phrasing for clarity. For example, instead of 'the report was written by the team', use 'the team wrote the report'.

What's the difference between "by the" and "with the"?

"By the" often indicates a method, location, or attribute, while "with the" typically indicates accompaniment or means. For example, "analyzed by the numbers" means using numerical data, while "traveling "with the" team" indicates who is accompanying you.