change by

USAGE SUMMARY

"change by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that has changed or been altered in some way, usually in comparison to something else. For example: "The temperature has changed by five degrees since yesterday morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Change (by Germany) is possible.

The Economist

Fares can change by the minute.

The Economist

Does your favorite change by season?

The New York Times

SEA CHANGE By Jeremy Page 274 pages.

The New York Times - Books

GAME CHANGE, by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin.

The New York Times

"My feelings change by the day.

The New York Times

That will change by 2008, he added.

The New York Times

We can't make the change by ourselves.

The Guardian

Music effects change by touching humanity.

The Guardian - Music

Whole buildings seem to change by the hour.

The New York Times

"This change by the government is a disgrace.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "change by", ensure that you clearly specify what is causing the change and what is being changed to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The policy changed by incorporating feedback from employees."

Common error

A common mistake is not clearly identifying what is causing the change. To avoid confusion, always explicitly state the agent responsible for the change. For instance, instead of saying "The rules changed by a lot", specify "The rules changed by the new committee's decisions."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "change by" functions as a prepositional phrase that often modifies a verb or noun, indicating the agent, method, or extent of a transformation or alteration. Ludwig examples showcase its diverse applications across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "change by" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate the cause, agent, or method of change. It is grammatically correct and commonly used in a variety of contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While it maintains a neutral register, it's essential to ensure the agent of change is clearly specified to avoid ambiguity. By understanding its usage and common errors, you can effectively incorporate "change by" into your writing. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its applicability across news, science, and general contexts, reinforcing its role as a key phrase for expressing modifications and alterations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adjust based on

This phrase emphasizes adaptation and responsiveness to a particular condition or factor.

modify through

This alternative focuses on the action of modifying, emphasizing the process rather than the resulting change.

impacted through

This phrase highlights the impact or effect of something, suggesting a more passive reception of change.

alter via

This phrase uses "via" to indicate the means by which something is altered, adding a sense of instrumentality.

convert through

This alternative suggests a change from one form or state to another, emphasizing the conversion process.

transform through

This suggests a more significant and complete change, implying a fundamental shift in form or nature.

influence via

This focuses on the influence exerted, suggesting a less direct form of causation.

shift due to

This alternative emphasizes the reason for the shift, highlighting causality.

vary according to

This indicates that something changes in a way that corresponds to something else, suggesting a relationship of dependence.

experience a modification from

This alternative emphasizes the experience of being modified, adding a sense of undergoing change.

FAQs

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

Use "change by" to indicate a modification or alteration caused by something. For example, "The climate has seen dramatic "change by" human activity", or "The price will "change by" the end of the day".

What's the difference between "change by" and "change through"?

"Change by" specifies the agent or cause of the change, while "change through" emphasizes the process or means by which the change occurs. For instance, ""change by" legislation" (agent) versus "change through education" (process).

Is there a more formal way to express "change by"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "modification through", "alteration via", or "transformation through" to convey a similar meaning with a more sophisticated tone. For example, "The system underwent "modification through" updated protocols".

Can "change by" be used in mathematical or scientific contexts?

Yes, "change by" is commonly used in scientific and mathematical contexts to describe changes in values or quantities. For example, "The temperature "change by" 2 degrees Celsius" or "The variable "change by" a factor of ten".