by the presents

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by the presents" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to something related to gifts or documents, but without context, it is unclear when it could be used. Example: "The agreement was made effective by the presents of both parties."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

When she woke up on Christmas, she was amazed by the presents, sneaked in by nurses, and by a visit from Santa Claus himself.

The Washington Post

But the holiday here — perhaps helped by the presents, the feasting and the twinkly lights — also has a much more universal appeal.

The New York Times

Hilda has told him not to go out and get sloshed before the dinner, but he does it anyway, depressed by the presents he has received: socks, a Mr. Grumpy T-shirt, tobacco.

The New Yorker

Lentulus was wrought upon by the magnitude of his debts, and the hopes of having the government of an army and provinces, and by the presents which he expected from such princes as should receive the title of friends of the Roman people, and boasted among his friends, that he would be a second Sylla, to whom the supreme authority should return.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Smith wrote in her book that in Leningrad she and her parents were amazed by the friendliness of the people and by the presents many people made for them.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Both are preoccupied by the present.

The New Yorker

Today, I am fascinated by the present, by youth.

The Guardian - Film

"The conference has been destroyed by the present Israeli government".

The New York Times

Certainly not by the present legislature".

Huffington Post

They have been crushed by the present.

Huffington Post

This was underlined by the present study.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to gifts, use more common and clearer phrases such as "because of the gifts" or "thanks to the gifts" to ensure your meaning is easily understood.

Common error

Do not use "by the presents" when a clearer prepositional phrase like "because of the gifts" or "with the gifts" would improve clarity. Ambiguity can confuse your reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by the presents" functions as a prepositional phrase, but its grammatical role and meaning are often unclear. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "by the presents" appears in some contexts, it is generally considered grammatically questionable and lacks clarity. As Ludwig AI notes, the phrase is not correct and its meaning is often ambiguous. Its infrequent usage and the availability of clearer alternatives like "because of the gifts" or "due to the gifts" make it a less desirable choice for effective communication. When aiming for clarity, it's best to opt for more direct and commonly accepted phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

because of the gifts

Replaces "presents" with "gifts", focusing on the causal relationship.

due to the gifts

Similar to "because of the gifts", emphasizing causality.

influenced by the gifts

Shifts the focus to the effect the gifts have on someone.

motivated by the gifts

Highlights the motivational aspect of receiving gifts.

in light of the presents

Suggests considering something because of the gifts received.

obliged by the gifts

Emphasizes a sense of obligation created by the gifts.

grateful for the presents

Focuses on the feeling of gratitude for the gifts.

thankful for the presents

Synonymous with "grateful for the presents", stressing thankfulness.

with the help of the presents

Indicates assistance or enablement provided by the gifts.

as a result of the gifts

Similar to "because of", highlighting the consequence of receiving gifts.

FAQs

What does "by the presents" mean?

The phrase "by the presents" is not standard English and its meaning is unclear without additional context. It might refer to being influenced, motivated, or affected in some way because of the gifts. For clearer alternatives, consider phrases like "because of the gifts" or "due to the gifts".

How can I use a more correct alternative to "by the presents"?

Instead of "by the presents", use phrases like "because of the gifts", "due to the gifts", or "motivated by the gifts" depending on the specific meaning you intend to convey. These alternatives provide greater clarity and grammatical correctness.

Is "by the presents" grammatically correct?

No, "by the presents" is not generally considered grammatically correct in standard English. While it appears in some contexts, it lacks the clarity and common usage of alternatives like "because of the gifts" or "with the gifts".

When is it appropriate to use "by the presents"?

While technically not incorrect, its usage is rare and often unclear. It may be suitable in very specific contexts where the intended meaning is clear from the surrounding text, but more common alternatives, such as "because of the gifts" or "thanks to the gifts", are usually preferable.