by the pound

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by the pound" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when referring to the weight of an item, often in the context of purchasing or selling goods, especially food. Example: "The apples are sold by the pound, so make sure to weigh them before checking out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Food

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

BOOKS BY THE POUND Sunday really is a workday.

The New York Times

Politics by the pound.

The New York Times

(National) Buying airline tickets by the pound.

The New York Times

Bacon by the pound is $12 to $17.

The New York Times - Food

They are also sold by the pound.

The New York Times - Food

He's not about sound by the pound".

The Guardian - Film

Food: Cochinita pibil by the pound.

The New York Times

The shop sold beans by the pound.

The New York Times

Phil soon started buying discarded jazz 78s by the pound.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Cottage cheese and fruit at the pay-by-the-pound salad bar".

Forbes

We drove around the corner to the pay-by-the-pound for some major digging.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing prices, be specific. Instead of saying "The meat is sold "by the pound"", specify the exact price: "The meat is sold "by the pound" at $5.99."

Common error

Avoid mixing imperial and metric units when using "by the pound". Stick to pounds (lbs) or consider using "by the kilogram" (kg) for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by the pound" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase specifying the unit of measure used for pricing or selling something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correctly used in written English. The phrase often modifies verbs like "sold", "priced", or "charged", indicating how the cost is determined.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Food

16%

Business

10%

Less common in

Vice

6%

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by the pound" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate that something is priced or sold according to its weight. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely understood and applicable across diverse contexts, most notably in news, food and business-related topics. While straightforward in its meaning, clarity is key: always ensure you specify the exact price or unit being measured to avoid confusion. Consider alternatives like "per pound" or "priced by weight" for variety. The phrase maintains a neutral register and its frequent usage underscores its importance in everyday communication when discussing costs related to weight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

per pound

Expresses the cost for each unit of weight, focusing on individual unit pricing.

priced by weight

Highlights the method of pricing according to an object's heaviness.

sold by weight

Describes a transaction where the price depends on how heavy something is.

weighed and priced

Emphasizes the action of determining weight and then assigning a corresponding amount to it.

by the kilogram

Specifies a different unit of mass for pricing, indicating a switch from imperial to metric.

by the ounce

Indicates a pricing system based on a smaller unit of measurement than a pound.

by the ton

Highlights measurement according to a bigger unit of mass, referring to bulk quantities.

calculated by mass

Focuses on the computation of a monetary value depending on how heavy something is.

measured by heft

Suggests an estimation of weight using physical sensation, rather than precise measurement.

proportional to weight

Indicates a direct correlation between heaviness and amount.

FAQs

How is "by the pound" typically used in a sentence?

It's generally used to describe the way something is sold or priced, such as "The cheese is sold "by the pound"" or "They charge "by the pound" for laundry services".

What are some alternatives to saying "by the pound"?

Alternatives include "per pound", "priced by weight", or "sold by weight", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "price by the pound" or "price per pound"?

Both are correct, but "price by the pound" describes the pricing method, while "price per pound" specifies the cost for each individual unit.

What does it mean when something is advertised as "sold by the pound"?

It means the price you pay is directly proportional to the weight of the item you are purchasing. The more it weighs, the higher the cost.