by way of elimination

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by way of elimination" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when explaining a process of reasoning where options are narrowed down by excluding those that are not viable. Example: "We can determine the best candidate for the job by way of elimination, considering their qualifications and experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Kant's proof proceeds by way of elimination.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Images over time show that elimination occurs primarily by way of clearance from the liver and excretion through the gallbladder into the GI tract.

EJNMMI Research

Heating to 200 °C in nitrobenzene led to the formation of a 6-phenylphenanthridine, presumably by way of phenanthridinium formation and fluoride-induced elimination.

Chemistry - A European Journal

The elimination of ruminants by way of an ersatz burger will have profound unintended consequences.

The Guardian

Olneyville, by way of New York.

The New York Times

By way of introduction, Figs.

Plosone

In addition to sulfation by SULTs, glucuronidation of TAM and its metabolites by uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) offers a way of substrate elimination through the bile.

BMC Cancer

Since this is not an option the only way to test the equalizer line is by process of elimination.

WikiHow

Their belief in Hamas's involvement seems to have been reached by process of elimination — Qawasmeh and Aisha have gone missing — but, in a way, the Netanyahu government needn't bother producing evidence that is more conclusive.

The New Yorker

"Let's go by process of elimination.

The New Yorker

By process of elimination, your desired outcome becomes more plausible.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by way of elimination", ensure the context clearly demonstrates a step-by-step process of excluding options to arrive at a conclusion. This makes the reasoning more transparent and logical.

Common error

Avoid using "by way of elimination" when you're not actually describing a process of excluding possibilities. Using it simply to mean "in some way" or "somehow" dilutes its specific meaning and weakens your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by way of elimination" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to describe how something is done. As shown in Ludwig, it indicates a specific method or approach used to reach a conclusion or solution.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by way of elimination" is a versatile phrase used to describe a process of narrowing down options to reach a conclusion. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely applicable. It is particularly suited for contexts that involve analytical reasoning and systematic exclusion. While alternatives like "through a process of elimination" exist, understanding the specific nuance you wish to convey is crucial. Use it wisely to clearly communicate the method behind your reasoning and ensure the context aligns with the exclusionary nature of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through a process of elimination

Reorders the original phrase to emphasize "process".

by process of deduction

Replaces "elimination" with "deduction", focusing on logical inference.

using the method of exclusion

Highlights the act of excluding options to arrive at a conclusion.

by logical deduction

More concise, emphasizing logical reasoning.

through systematic exclusion

Emphasizes the organized nature of the elimination process.

by narrowing down possibilities

Focuses on the gradual reduction of options.

by ruling out alternatives

Highlights the rejection of alternatives.

by discarding unsuitable options

Emphasizes the unsuitability of the rejected choices.

through a process of selection

Highlights selection as the main focus.

by a process of inference

Focuses on the conclusion reached.

FAQs

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

You can use "by way of elimination" to describe a method of problem-solving or decision-making where you gradually exclude options until only the correct or desired one remains. For instance, "We determined the cause of the malfunction by way of elimination, testing each component until we found the faulty one."

What is a good alternative to "by way of elimination"?

Alternatives include "through a process of elimination", "by process of deduction", or "using the method of exclusion", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "by way of elimination"?

Use "by way of elimination" when you want to emphasize a systematic approach where options are actively ruled out to reach a final answer or conclusion. It's best suited for situations where the process of exclusion is a key part of the explanation.

Is "by way of elimination" the same as "by process of elimination"?

While similar, "by way of elimination" and "by process of elimination" are slightly different. The former emphasizes the manner or method, while the latter highlights the entire process as a structured approach. They are often interchangeable but can have subtle differences in emphasis.