by threatening to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by threatening to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an action that involves making a threat to achieve a certain outcome. Example: "He tried to get what he wanted by threatening to quit his job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Monroe responded by threatening to sue her.

Independent

Nor may I coerce you, by threatening to use force.

University of California, Berkeley

Premsak responded by threatening to charge the journalists with trespassing.

The Guardian

In the end Lenin prevailed by threatening to resign.

Britannica

Perhaps by threatening to shift her allegiance to China.

The New York Times - Sports

Baku responded by threatening to shoot such flights down.

The Economist

In addition, the Federal Government can respond by threatening to withhold additional financial assistance.

Cornell University

Not by threatening to out him, but by threatening to leak salacious photos or details — like Amazon founder (and Post owner) Jeff Bezos's recent adventure in the tabloids.

The Washington Post

We know Milbury was merely using hyperbole by threatening to take Lafleur to the guillotine.

The New York Times - Sports

He demanded a slower pace, but Devine parried by threatening to walk out.

The Guardian

But we won't throw the baby out with the bathwater by threatening to withdraw.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by threatening to" to clearly indicate that a specific action is being used as a means of coercion or influence to achieve a desired outcome. Ensure the threat is realistic and directly related to the intended result for maximum impact.

Common error

Avoid using "by threatening to" in situations where there is no genuine element of threat or coercion involved. Overusing the phrase can weaken its impact and make your writing sound overly dramatic or manipulative when a more neutral approach would be appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "by threatening to" is to serve as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb, explaining how an action is carried out. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct. Its purpose is to introduce the method used to achieve an outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

10%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by threatening to" is a versatile tool in the English language, serving as an adverbial phrase that illuminates the use of coercion or intimidation to achieve a specific outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical structure is correct and widely accepted. It is "Very common" across News & Media, Academia and Wiki sources, with top sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employing it. While alternatives such as "through intimidation" or "by means of coercion" exist, "by threatening to" provides a direct and clear way to express the intent behind an action. However, writers should be mindful of potential misuses, particularly in situations lacking genuine threats, to maintain credibility and avoid sounding overly dramatic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through intimidation

Focuses more directly on the act of intimidation as the means.

by means of coercion

Highlights the use of coercion as a general method.

under threat of

Emphasizes the state of being threatened and its influence on the action.

by using threats

A more direct and less nuanced alternative.

through the use of menace

Replaces 'threatening' with 'menace', adding a slightly more formal tone.

by way of intimidation

Similar to "through intimidation" but with a slightly different wording.

by employing threats

Uses 'employing' instead of 'threatening', making it slightly more formal.

with the threat of

Shifts the focus to the existence of a threat as the influencing factor.

by instilling fear

Focuses on the emotional aspect (fear) that results from the threatening action.

by putting pressure on

A more subtle way of saying threatening, implying a less direct form of coercion.

FAQs

How can I use "by threatening to" in a sentence?

The phrase "by threatening to" is used to indicate that a particular action is being taken as a means of coercion or intimidation to achieve a specific outcome. For example: "The company increased productivity "by threatening to" fire employees who did not meet the new quotas".

What are some alternatives to "by threatening to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "through intimidation", "by means of coercion", or "under threat of", each offering a slightly different nuance while conveying a similar sense of using pressure to achieve a result. Choose the alternative that best fits the specific context.

Is it ever inappropriate to use "by threatening to"?

Yes, it is inappropriate to use "by threatening to" in contexts where there is no real element of threat or coercion. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound overly dramatic. Consider using more neutral language if the situation does not genuinely involve threats.

What's the difference between "by threatening to" and "by warning of"?

"By threatening to" implies a deliberate act of coercion, suggesting negative consequences will follow if a demand isn't met. "By warning of", on the other hand, simply conveys a potential danger or consequence without necessarily implying intentional manipulation. For example, "The meteorologist saved lives "by warning of" the impending storm" is different than "The governor influenced legislation "by threatening to" veto the bill".