by way of context

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by way of context" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce background information or clarification related to a topic being discussed. Example: "By way of context, it's important to understand the historical events that led to this decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Besides that, as Edwards explained of the Jets by way of context, "we're all kind of goofy amongst each other".

The New York Times - Sports

By way of context, Dr. Wintemute said that in 2009 only about 150,000 people were prevented from buying a gun because they failed background checks, out of about 10.8 million who applied.

The New York Times

These things arise not by way of context, but directly and intimately from the lives of his protagonists.Constable was extraordinarily modern in believing that nothing could be intrinsically ugly: "old rotten planks, slimy posts, and brickwork, I love such things," he wrote.

The Economist

By way of context, the U.S. consumes about 6.7 billion bbl. of oil a year.

Forbes

By way of context, Twitter's weekly cohort numbers were notably lower at a similar point in their history.

TechCrunch

By way of context, the original Voyager Golden Records were compiled by a NASA team headed by the great Carl Sagan, designed to contextualized the Earth experience to far out aliens.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Some of the strippers that come onto the Duke campus are men, Bob Steel told me, by way of offering context.

The New Yorker

The film is indeed pretty bad — there's nothing by way of character, context, or emotional insight, no wider development of the movie's silly yet intriguing connection of the medical to the metaphysical — yet it's bad in a strangely old-fashioned way.

The New Yorker

A few highlights from that analysis are worth repeating here by way of providing context for this report.

Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy

By way of theoretical context, Rothstein et al. (2006) describe an 'early stage' societal risk governance environment with few pressures from internal and external scrutiny.

Journal of Applied Volcanology

By way of cultural context, this was also the year Bret Ellis published American Psycho and Silence of The Lambs won Oscars for best picture, actor, actress, director and adaptation.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience's existing knowledge; avoid using the phrase if the context is already obvious to them.

Common error

Avoid beginning multiple consecutive sentences with "by way of context"; vary your sentence structure for better readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by way of context" functions as a prepositional phrase that serves as a discourse marker. It explicitly signals the introduction of background information or relevant details necessary for understanding the subsequent content. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by way of context" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to introduce background information and enhance understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. As this analysis shows, this phrase is common in News & Media and Science, indicating a neutral to slightly formal register. When writing, consider simpler alternatives like "for context" for informal settings and aim to vary sentence structure to avoid overuse. Understanding these nuances allows for more effective and clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by way of explanation

Similar structure, but emphasizes clarifying something.

for context

A more concise and direct way to introduce background information.

as background

Focuses on providing the necessary preliminary information.

to provide perspective

Emphasizes offering a viewpoint or understanding of a situation.

in relation to the topic

Connects directly to the subject being discussed.

to give an overview

Suggests a broad summary of relevant information.

as a point of reference

Highlights using the information to understand something else.

in order to understand

Clearly states the purpose of providing the information.

for informational purposes

More formal and neutral, emphasizing the provision of data.

to set the scene

Focuses on creating a descriptive backdrop or setting.

FAQs

How can I use "by way of context" in a sentence?

You can use "by way of context" to introduce background information or clarification. For example: "By way of context, it's important to understand the historical events that led to this decision."

What can I say instead of "by way of context"?

You can use alternatives like "for context", "as background", or "to provide perspective" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "by way of context" formal or informal?

"By way of context" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. Simpler alternatives like "for context" may be more suitable for informal settings.

When should I use "by way of context" instead of simply providing the context directly?

Use "by way of context" when you want to explicitly signal to your reader that you are about to provide background information that is essential for understanding the subsequent information. It can also help improve the flow of your writing.