case by case

USAGE SUMMARY

"case by case" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to something that is dealt with or looked at individually, one at a time. For example: "The lawyers argued the cases one by one, on a case by case basis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

"Case by case.

The New York Times

So take it case by case.

The New York Times

Everything is case by case.

The New Yorker

It's just case by case".

The New York Times

One approach is case by case.

The Guardian

I do this case by case.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

That would need case-by-case negotiation.

The Economist

It was a case-by-case basis.

The Economist

Yes, on a case-by-case basis.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It's all case-by-case," Kalifowitz explains.

The Guardian - Music

"That's a case-by-case thing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "case by case", clearly define the criteria or factors that will be considered in each individual assessment to maintain transparency and consistency.

Common error

Avoid using "case by case" as a blanket statement to evade establishing clear policies or guidelines. Ensure that there is a genuine intention to evaluate each situation individually, rather than creating ambiguity or inconsistency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "case by case" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier. It describes how something is being done, indicating that each instance is assessed or handled individually rather than according to a general rule. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage, confirming its role in specifying the method of evaluation or action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

30%

News & Media

40%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "case by case" is a versatile adverbial modifier used to emphasize individual assessment and flexibility. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and very common across various contexts, including academia, news media, and science. While suitable for neutral communication, it's also frequently used in more formal settings. When using "case by case", ensure you clearly define the criteria for individual assessment to maintain transparency. While commonly used, avoid redundancy by using "case by case" instead of "case by case basis" where appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on an individual basis

Highlights the focus on each person or situation distinctly.

each case distinctly

Highlights the unique treatment of every situation.

individually assessed

Emphasizes the evaluation of each case separately.

separately considered

Underscores the independent evaluation of each instance.

one at a time

Focuses on the sequential handling of each case.

tailored approach

Suggests a customized method for each specific case.

personalized review

Emphasizes the bespoke examination of each case.

specific to the situation

Highlights relevance to particular circumstances.

subject to individual review

Highlights the need for individual scrutiny.

depending on the circumstances

Focuses on different outcomes based on conditions.

FAQs

How can I use "case by case" in a sentence?

You can use "case by case" to indicate that decisions or actions are determined individually based on specific circumstances. For example, "The applications will be reviewed "on an individual basis", case by case."

What's a similar expression to "case by case"?

Similar expressions include "on an individual basis", "individually", or "separately". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "case by case basis"?

While "case by case basis" is commonly used, some consider it redundant because "case by case" already implies that each case is considered individually. Using just "case by case" can be more concise.

What is the difference between "case by case" and "in general"?

"Case by case" signifies individual consideration, while "in general" refers to a broad, overarching rule or trend. For example, "In general, the policy applies to all employees, but exceptions may be made "on an individual basis", case by case."