by thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by thing" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is unclear when it could be used, as it lacks context and does not form a coherent expression. Example: "I will complete the task by thing" does not make sense.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Martin Galese, a 31-year-old lawyer in New York, is resurrecting bits and pieces of bygone eras, thing by thing.

The New York Times

By "thing," of course, I could mean anything a poem, a movie review, a seven-hundred-word unsolicited essay about why having a library card makes me better than you.

The New Yorker

In this state, you cannot focus: if you decide to think about one thing, you soon find yourself thinking about something else (which was "suggested" by thing one), and then something else, and so on.

MIT Technology Review

The Vertical Dead pares things down even more in terms of structure, based as it is on one chord, although there is guitar extrapolation aplenty and halfway through it gives way to the sort of thing – and by "thing" we mean screams and avant-garde sonics – you might expect from a Yoko Ono album.

The Guardian - Music

"Internet of things" is slowly arriving on the scene day by day, thing by thing.

Forbes

By "thing" the president apparently was alluding to a spending bill that he'd reluctantly signed, to end a 35-day partial government shutdown he'd provoked by his standoff with Democrats over wall money.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

In their thing-by-thing descriptions, the authors connect each object to both specific local conditions and to the broader influences that shaped the first millennium AD, and also explore their use in modern scholarly interpretations, with suggestions for further reading.

Stanford University

What did he mean by "things"?

The New Yorker

By "things" here we mean, basically, "women".

The New York Times - Arts

"I get annoyed by things," Schumer says.

The Washington Post

By "things," he meant that first major.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "by thing" in formal writing. It is generally considered ungrammatical and can confuse readers. Instead, opt for more precise prepositions like "by means of" or "through" to convey your intended meaning.

Common error

Do not use "by thing" as a catch-all phrase when you're unsure of the correct preposition. Often, writers use it when they intend to say "by means of" or "through something". Be specific and choose the preposition that accurately reflects the relationship you want to express.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by thing" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, but its usage is often grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI flags it as potentially problematic, suggesting it may be a misused or incomplete expression. Its intended function seems to be to indicate a method or means, but it lacks the precision of correct alternatives.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "by thing" appears in various sources, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates that it isn't a correct expression. Its intended purpose seems to be to convey a method or cause, but its usage is often imprecise. To avoid ambiguity, it's best to use clearer alternatives like "by means of" or "through". Although it appears across various source types including news, scientific publications, and academic texts, its presence in formal contexts seems to be an error or colloquialism. Because of this, it's recommended to avoid the phrase in professional writing, as its intended purpose is generally unclear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by means of

This alternative emphasizes the method or instrument used to achieve something.

through the use of

Similar to "by means of", this highlights the tool or technique employed.

by way of

This suggests a route or intermediary step in a process.

via

A concise way to indicate the channel or medium through which something is done.

by utilizing

This emphasizes the active use of a resource or method.

through

A simple preposition indicating the process or experience something undergoes.

by employing

Similar to "by utilizing", but focuses on the act of putting something into service.

using

A straightforward way to indicate the tool or method being applied.

in accordance with

This phrase suggests that something is done following a rule, law, or principle.

based on

This signifies that something is developed or decided using certain facts or information.

FAQs

Is "by thing" grammatically correct?

No, "by thing" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's best to use more specific and grammatically sound alternatives depending on the context.

What are some alternatives to "by thing"?

Depending on the intended meaning, you can use phrases like "by means of", "through the use of", or "via".

When might someone mistakenly use "by thing"?

People might use "by thing" when they intend to express a method or process but are unsure of the correct prepositional phrase. It's often a vague substitute for more precise language.

How can I avoid using "by thing" in my writing?

Carefully consider the relationship you want to express and choose a preposition or phrase that accurately reflects it. For example, if you mean "using something", just say "using"; if you mean "through a process", say "through".