by what quality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by what quality" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when inquiring about the specific characteristics or standards that define something. Example: "By what quality do you judge the success of this project?"

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Territoriality specifies by what quality citizens are subject to authority — their geographic location within a set of boundaries.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The GOOD Practice SDEC report on each system closes with findings and lessons learned in order to guide next projects by answering; What quality and support measures lead to a successful SDEC system implementation with high energy performance figures, high quality of indoor comfort and high user friendliness for facility manager?

Energy Procedia

Teach your children what "quality" work means by describing or showing them prime examples of what the task should look like when completed.

HuffPost

Of what quality?

The Guardian - Books

What quality issues exist?

Harvard Business Review

"He knew what quality was".

The New York Times - Books

What quality?

Globalization and Health

Chose what quality you want.

WikiHow

What qualities displayed by the patients most impressed you?

The Guardian

Board President Robert Hartsfield said Newman's name came up frequently during a recent survey conducted by the district to determine what qualities the community wanted in its next superintendent.

Los Angeles Times

Recent publications in computer science investigated how information spreads on Twitter (data: 100 million tweets), what qualities are shared by most favored photos on Flickr (data: 2.2 million photos), and what geotagged Flickr photos tell us about people's attention (data: 35 million photos).

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by what quality", ensure the context clearly implies an evaluation or judgment is being made based on specific characteristics. Be prepared that the phrase might sound formal to some people.

Common error

Avoid using "by what quality" in casual conversation. It can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler phrases like "how" or "what kind of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by what quality" functions as an interrogative prepositional phrase. It introduces a question that seeks to understand the specific attributes, characteristics, or criteria used to define or evaluate something. Ludwig's analysis highlights its proper, though infrequent, usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by what quality" serves as a formal way to inquire about the criteria used for evaluation. While grammatically sound, as confirmed by Ludwig, its usage is relatively rare and more suited to formal or scientific contexts. Alternatives like "by which standard" or "based on what criteria" may be more appropriate in certain situations. Remember that while its structure is correct, overuse can make your writing sound unnatural. The phrase's function is to elicit specific details about the measures by which quality is determined, highlighting its purpose in analytical and evaluative discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by which standard

Replaces "quality" with a more formal term indicating a defined level of acceptance or excellence.

based on what criteria

Uses "criteria" to focus on specific, measurable factors used for assessment.

according to what measure

Emphasizes the use of a specific metric or standard for evaluation.

using what attributes

Focuses on inherent characteristics or features used for judgment.

by what characteristics

Similar to attributes, but can refer to more general features or qualities.

on what basis

A more general way of asking about the foundation or reason for a judgment.

by what metric

Specifies the use of a quantifiable measurement for assessment.

by what features

Highlights specific aspects or elements that are considered.

through which lens

Emphasizes a particular perspective or viewpoint used in evaluation.

under what conditions

Shifts the focus to the circumstances or prerequisites that influence quality.

FAQs

How can I use "by what quality" in a sentence?

Use "by what quality" to ask about the specific attributes or standards used to assess something. For example, "By what quality do you judge the success of this project?"

What can I say instead of "by what quality"?

Alternatives include "by which standard", "based on what criteria", or "according to what measure" depending on the context.

Is "by what quality" formal or informal?

"By what quality" is generally considered a formal phrase. In more casual settings, simpler alternatives are usually preferred.

Is it correct to say "by which quality" instead of "by what quality"?

While grammatically similar, "by what quality" is the more conventional phrasing. "By which quality" is less common and may sound awkward to some.