by which minds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by which minds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the processes or mechanisms through which thoughts, ideas, or perceptions are formed or influenced. Example: "The theory presents a framework by which minds can better understand complex concepts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The ideal is that of free thought and expression by which minds are formed and refined.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

On the other hand, only passive affects are passions: "an affect that is called a Passion [pathema] of the Mind is a confused idea by which the Mind affirms of its Body, or some part of it, a greater or lesser power of existing [existendi vis] than before, which, when it is given determines the Mind to think of this rather than that" (III Gen. Def. of the Affects).

SEP

The more instances the associative principles explain, the more assurance we have that Hume has identified the basic principles by which our minds work.

SEP

But even though we have located the principle, it is important to see that this isn't a new principle by which our minds operate.

SEP

The brain stem is the main pathway between the brain and the spinal cord, the route by which the mind exerts control over the muscles.

The New York Times - Magazine

Four of the most influential paradigms have been psychological measurement, also known as psychometrics; cognitive psychology, which concerns itself with the processes by which the mind functions; cognitivism and contextualism, a combined approach that studies the interaction between the environment and mental processes; and biological science, which considers the neural bases of intelligence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The theory of learning involving mental discipline is more commonly associated with Aristotle's "faculty psychology", by which the mind is understood to be composed of a number of faculties, each of which is considered to be relatively independent of the others.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The conceit allows Coe to explore the occult-seeming process by which the mind can summon the past into the present, but it occasionally becomes tiresome, given the plethora of symbolism-laden objects and locations that the reader must decode as different moments collide.

The New Yorker

Wildschut speculated about this habit being an "as if" loop – a mechanism by which your mind can temporarily affect your perceived body state – linking it to research which showed that people were significantly more likely to generate nostalgic emotions in a cold room than a warm one – and that those emotions had the effect of making the room seem warmer.

The Guardian

The show begins with the Theatre's director, the actor Simon McBurney, as Virgil, in manic cogitation on the subject of the brain and how we remember — what he calls the "sprouting" of synapses and "high-speed orienteering," by which the mind recalls and, in fact, invents the past.

The New Yorker

Like The English Patient, Anil's Ghost is in part a novel about numbness in the face of these horrors of war, and the strategies by which the mind retains its humanity: a concentration on fine detail, a love of ancient words, the possibilities of love.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider rewording to a more direct and simpler phrasing like "through which minds" if appropriate for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "by which minds" in simple sentences where a more direct phrase like "through minds" or "via minds" would suffice. Overusing complex phrasing can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by which minds" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a relative clause. It specifies the means or method by which minds are affected or involved in a process. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate its use in academic and philosophical contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by which minds" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase that introduces a relative clause, specifying the means by which minds are involved in a process. While recognized as valid by Ludwig AI, it is more formal and less frequently used. The phrase is commonly found in academic, philosophical, and technical contexts. Simpler alternatives such as "through which minds" might be preferable in less formal settings. Remember to consider the clarity and directness of your writing when choosing between "by which minds" and its alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through which minds

Replaces the preposition "by" with "through", maintaining the same meaning.

in which minds

Changes the preposition to "in", focusing on the environment or state of minds.

via minds

Uses "via" as a more concise preposition indicating the route or channel.

by means of minds

Emphasizes the use of minds as a tool or method.

where minds

Simplifies the phrase to indicate a place or context in which minds exist or function.

how minds

Focuses on the method or manner in which minds operate.

where the mind

Specifies singular "mind" instead of plural "minds".

through the minds

Emphasizes specific minds, rather than minds in general.

the way minds

Highlights a specific manner or method by which minds function.

by influencing minds

Focuses on the act of influencing minds instead of the means by which it happens.

FAQs

How can I use "by which minds" in a sentence?

Use "by which minds" to describe a process or mechanism through which thoughts, ideas, or perceptions are formed or influenced. For example: "The theory presents a framework "by which minds" can better understand complex concepts."

What are some alternatives to "by which minds"?

You can use alternatives such as "through which minds", "in which minds", or "how minds", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "by which minds" formal or informal?

"By which minds" tends to be more formal and is often found in academic or technical writing. Simpler alternatives like "through minds" might be more appropriate for informal contexts.

What's the difference between "by which minds" and "through which minds"?

While both phrases are very similar, ""by which minds"" implies a more structured or formal process, whereas "through which minds" can suggest a more general or less defined means.