by which it is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by which it is" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a method or means by which something is done or achieved. Example: "The process by which it is completed requires careful attention to detail."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Although autophagy activation in heart diseases has been largely documented, the mechanism by which it is activated and its cellular consequences remained uncertain [ 9, 10].

Clinical Proteomics

An essential feature of physiological immune response is its self-limitation, by which it is attenuated by several mechanisms.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

The justice with which a diamond is mined speaks more to its beauty, and its value, than do the carets by which it is traditionally measured.

Huffington Post

The processes by which PRC2 is directed to its target sites, and by which it is retained there, are complex and still incompletely understood [ 72, 73].

Epigenetics and Chromatin

In its style and the methods by which it is made, Monte Bello manages to bridge Old World and New.

The New York Times - Food

Neither is there any law establishing its existence or setting out the rules by which it is supposed to operate.

The New York Times

Rice, edible starchy cereal grain and the plant by which it is produced.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A surprise attack that initiates a war thus activates the morality by which it is governed.

The New York Times

More precisely, the decreasingly defensible method by which it is funded.

The Guardian

They neither change the principles by which the welfare state operates nor the means by which it is funded.

The Economist

What is a proposition, and how is it related to the sentence by which it is expressed?

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by which it is" to clearly and concisely explain the process or method by which something is achieved, particularly in formal or scientific writing.

Common error

Avoid using "by which it is" in informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "how it is" or "the way it is" often sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by which it is" functions primarily as a relative clause, specifying the means, method, or process through which something is accomplished. Ludwig examples show its usage in diverse contexts from scientific mechanisms to legal rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

31%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by which it is" is a versatile relative clause used to specify the means or process by which something occurs. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms it is grammatically sound and frequently used across scientific, news, and encyclopedia sources. While valuable for clarity, overuse in informal contexts should be avoided. Alternatives like "through which it is" or "whereby it is" can provide nuanced variations. Remember, effective communication hinges on choosing the right phrase for the context, balancing precision with naturalness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through which it is

Emphasizes the channel or medium involved.

whereby it is

Implies a more formal or legalistic context.

by means of which it is

More verbose and emphasizes the tools or resources used.

in which it is

Focuses on the state or condition within which something exists or happens.

according to which it is

Highlights a rule or standard that governs the process.

by the agency of which it is

Stresses the active agent or instrument involved.

by virtue of which it is

Indicates a power or right that enables something.

under which it is

Highlights the conditions or circumstances in which something occurs.

from which it is

Emphasizes the source or origin from which something derives.

on the basis of which it is

Stresses the foundational principles or rationale.

FAQs

How can I use "by which it is" in a sentence?

Use "by which it is" to specify the means, method, or process through which something is accomplished. For example, "The mechanism "by which it is" activated remains unclear."

What can I say instead of "by which it is"?

Alternatives include "through which it is", "whereby it is", or "by means of which it is", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "by which it is" or "by which is it"?

"By which it is" is the correct grammatical structure. "By which is it" is an inversion that is rarely used and generally incorrect in this context.

What's the difference between "by which it is" and "in which it is"?

"By which it is" refers to the method or means, while "in which it is" refers to the state or condition. For example, "the process "by which it is" made" versus "the environment "in which it is" stored".