by the month

USAGE SUMMARY

'by the month' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to specify a timeframe in which something happens, for example, "We rent the apartment by the month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Also available by the month.

The New York Times

It instead makes determinations by the month.

The New York Times

The gun designs are evidently getting better by the month.

The New York Times

In South Africa, its getting better by the month".

The New York Times - Travel

The backlog of criminal cases grows greater by the month.

The New York Times

It's a band that's getting stronger by the month.

The New York Times

Third, you pay by the movie, not by the month.

The New York Times - Tech

The band is growing stronger by the month.

The New York Times

But relations have since soured, seemingly by the month.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The final alternative is signing up for a traditional pay-by-the-month contract.

The New York Times - Tech

By-the-Lake, July 23-August 3; By-the-Sound, October 6-20.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by the month" to clearly indicate recurring payments or actions that happen every month. For example, specify "rented by the month" or "paid by the month" to avoid ambiguity about the payment schedule.

Common error

Avoid using "in a month" when you mean "by the month". "In a month" refers to something happening one month from now, while "by the month" indicates a recurring monthly basis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by the month" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, specifying the time frame or frequency of an action or payment. As confirmed by Ludwig, it indicates that something occurs or is calculated on a monthly basis. For example, renting an apartment "by the month" means the rent is paid each month.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by the month" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate that something occurs or is paid for on a monthly basis. Ludwig confirms its wide applicability. It's frequently found in news, media, and general writing contexts to describe recurring payments, subscriptions, or services. While alternatives like "monthly" or "per month" exist, "by the month" clearly specifies the timeframe. Be sure not to confuse it with "in a month", which refers to a future point in time. Understanding these nuances helps ensure clear and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

per month

Directly specifies the cost or rate for one month.

monthly

A single word replacement that functions as an adjective modifying a noun.

each month

Emphasizes the recurrence in every individual month.

on a monthly basis

More formal and emphasizes the regular, recurring nature.

every month

Stresses the repetition of the event in each month without exception.

once a month

Highlights the single occurrence of something within a month.

at monthly intervals

Highlights the consistent spacing of events occurring each month.

calculated monthly

Emphasizes the calculation or assessment being done each month.

with monthly payments

Focuses specifically on the payment aspect occurring monthly.

in monthly installments

Emphasizes the division of a larger sum into monthly parts.

FAQs

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

You can use "by the month" to describe recurring payments or services. For example, "The apartment is rented "by the month"" or "We charge for our services "by the month"".

What's an alternative to saying "by the month"?

Alternatives include "monthly", "per month", or "on a monthly basis". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "monthly" instead of "by the month"?

Yes, "monthly" can often replace "by the month", but it functions as an adjective. For example, instead of "paying by the month", you might have "monthly payments".

What is the difference between "by the month" and "in a month"?

"By the month" refers to something recurring every month, like a subscription. "In a month" refers to a point in time one month from now. They are not interchangeable.