by the connotation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by the connotation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the implied or associated meanings of a word or phrase rather than its literal definition. Example: "The word 'home' evokes feelings of warmth and safety, by the connotation it carries in our culture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Possibly excited by the connotation, my vegetarian boyfriend leans in swiftly for a bite, then stares sheepishly at the plate before dipping in for round two.

The New York Times - Travel

It becomes a lament for all those who died at sea – particularly those at Jutland – and is made more universal by the connotation between "Jack and Jack Tarar", the common term for sailor.

The Guardian

The meaning of a proposition its "import", as Mill says is determined by the connotation of its parts, the sole exception being given in the case of proper names, where the meaning is determined by the denotation.

SEP

In terms of logic, Mill is less concerned than later thinkers would be about the uniqueness implied by the connotation: Caesar is not only a conqueror of Gaul but the conqueror.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It's such a well-known joke that a man with the last name "Crook" is running for Congress in part by comically subverting the connotation of his surname.

Vice

(P11) Several facets of dragon boating were talked about by participants signifying the connotation of 'all in the same boat'.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

With campaign manager becoming an archaism — with consultant blackened by the mercenary connotation of "hired gun" and the gentle counselor limited to doddering cronies — what title can trump that of senior political adviser?

The New York Times - Magazine

In spite of the variety of persuasive strategies employed, deceit has been neglected justified by the negative connotation it benefits from public opinion and media reports.

Entertainment Computing

Both children and parents were affected by the negative connotation embodied in the words 'obesity' and 'obesity study', and this was reported as a deterrent for eligible patients participating in a study.

Clinical and Translational Medicine

The Greek word epidemios is constructed by combining the preposition epi (on) with the noun demos (people), but demos originally meant "the country" (inhabited by its people) before taking the connotation "the people" in classical Greek.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

A few decades later, when the term came to describe a day when retailers' ledgers shifted "into the black" for the year — a connotation also pushed by marketers — people assumed that had always been the connotation.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by the connotation" when you want to emphasize that the meaning is derived from associated feelings, ideas, or cultural understanding, rather than the explicit definition.

Common error

Avoid using "by the connotation" when you actually mean the dictionary definition (denotation) of a word. Connotation is about implied meaning, while denotation is about literal meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by the connotation" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the means or basis for understanding a particular meaning. Ludwig examples show its use in explaining how meaning is derived from associations rather than direct definition. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by the connotation" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, though relatively rare in occurrence. As Ludwig AI confirms, its purpose is to pinpoint that understanding or meaning is derived from associated feelings or cultural implications, and not necessarily from the literal definition. Predominantly found in Science, Encyclopedias, and News & Media, this phrase adds analytical depth to writing, helping to clarify how subtle, implied meanings shape interpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by the implied meaning

Directly addresses the meaning that is suggested but not explicitly stated.

through the implication

Focuses on the implied meaning rather than the associated meaning.

due to the associations

Emphasizes the connections and links that a word or phrase invokes.

based on the suggestion

Highlights the subtle hints or indirect communication of meaning.

owing to the implicit sense

Indicates that the meaning is understood without being openly expressed.

because of the undertones

Highlights the subtle, underlying qualities or feelings suggested by a word or phrase.

resulting from the undercurrents

Suggests deeper, less obvious influences on meaning.

attributed to the subtext

Focuses on the implied meaning beneath the surface level.

derived from the symbolic value

Emphasizes the representative or allegorical meaning.

in light of the understood significance

Highlights a shared or culturally known meaning.

FAQs

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

You can use "by the connotation" to explain that the meaning of something derives from its associations and implications, rather than its literal definition. For example: "The word 'luxury' sells not just products, but dreams, /s/through+the+connotation and the promise of a certain lifestyle."

What is a similar phrase to "by the connotation"?

Similar phrases include /s/through+the+implication, /s/due+to+the+associations, or /s/by+the+implied+meaning. The best alternative depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "because of the connotation" instead of "by the connotation"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they carry slightly different nuances. "Because of the connotation" suggests that the connotation is the cause, while "by the connotation" describes the way the meaning is understood. Use "because of the connotation" when the connotation directly affects something.

What's the difference between connotation and denotation, and how does it relate to "by the connotation"?

Denotation is the literal, dictionary definition of a word, while connotation refers to the associated feelings, ideas, or cultural meanings. "By the connotation" emphasizes that the meaning is derived from these associations rather than the denotation.