by what rules

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by what rules" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when inquiring about the specific guidelines or principles that govern a situation or action. Example: "By what rules are we expected to conduct this meeting?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

And by what rules can they move forward? 1 2 Next Page » Liesl Schillinger is a regular contributor to the Book Review.

The New York Times - Books

Precisely how, and by what rules, is secret.Britain, too, has set up a cyber-security policy outfit, and an "operations centre" based in GCHQ, the British equivalent of the NSA.

The Economist

–By what "rules" do you think fellow bloggers should abide and why? –Do you think most bloggers intend to have conversations with themselves, or intend to communicate their thoughts widely?

The New York Times

But by commingling the two -- government and personal -- Clinton opened the door to this criticism, because we can't be sure by what rules Clinton follows to guide her decisions to archive or delete emails.

Huffington Post

By what rules, concepts, and moral code will your cult organize itself?

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

In law, an ex ante argument tries to reason through the potential impact of a court's decision by studying what rule it creates, what precedent it sets.

Huffington Post

BOIES: Well, I think the case and the decision are relevant, because I think that what happens in the future is going to be determined by what the rules of the game are.

The New Yorker

Ranee is a Black lesbian and in these pages we meet an assortment of characters, most of them Black lesbians, at least one of whom lives by the rules -- meaning that she lives her life by a certain code of ethics but sometimes she is confused by what the rules are.

Huffington Post

I am awed at the bravery of those Syrian rebels who started this uprising, peacefully, without any arms, against a regime that plays by what I call Hama Rules, which are no rules at all.

The New York Times

For the next quarter-century, beginning with "A Question of Upbringing" in 1951 and concluding with "Hearing Secret Harmonies" in 1975, Mr. Powell worked on this grand project, its underlying pattern ruled by what he called "the inexorable law of coincidence".

The New York Times - Books

The vagaries of racial identity were increased by what anthropologists call the rule of "hypodescent" — the one-drop rule.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by what rules", ensure the context clearly indicates the area or activity to which the rules apply. This avoids ambiguity and clarifies the scope of the inquiry.

Common error

Avoid using "by what rules" in excessively general contexts without specifying the domain. For instance, instead of asking "By what rules should society function?", specify the aspect, such as "By what rules should online privacy be governed?".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by what rules" functions as an interrogative prepositional phrase. It is used to inquire about the specific regulations, guidelines, or principles that govern a particular situation or action. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by what rules" is a grammatically sound and usable English expression used to inquire about the regulations or guidelines governing a specific situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While relatively rare in occurrence, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "under what guidelines" or "according to what regulations" depending on the desired level of formality. Remember to avoid broad inquiries and specify the area to which the rules apply for a clearer and more effective question.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

according to what regulations

Replaces "by rules" with the more formal "regulations".

under what guidelines

Substitutes "rules" with "guidelines", implying a less strict set of principles.

on what basis

Focuses on the justification or foundation for the rules.

by what criteria

Emphasizes the specific standards or measures used.

following which procedures

Highlights the sequence of actions dictated by the rules.

pursuant to what directives

Uses more formal language, implying official instructions.

by virtue of what laws

Specifically refers to legal or formal rules.

conforming to what standards

Stresses compliance with established benchmarks.

subject to what provisions

Highlights conditional aspects of the rules.

governed by which principles

Emphasizes the fundamental beliefs or values guiding the rules.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "by what rules"?

You can use alternatives like "under what guidelines", "according to what regulations", or "on what basis" depending on the context.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "by what rules"?

It is appropriate when you want to inquire about the specific regulations, guidelines, or principles governing a particular situation, process, or activity. For instance, "By what rules are decisions made in this committee?"

Is "by what rules" formal or informal?

The phrase "by what rules" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "pursuant to what directives" might be preferred in highly formal settings.

What is the difference between "by what rules" and "what are the rules"?

"By what rules" is typically used when inquiring about the specific set of regulations or principles in a more formal or analytical manner. "What are the rules" is a more direct and general inquiry.