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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
definite by
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"definite by" is not correct or usable in written English.
Instead, you could use a phrase such as "determined by" or "defined by." For example, "The future of the business was determined by the decisions of the board."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Encyclopedias
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
32 human-written examples
Despite Carter's cryptic hints, it is still not definite, by any stretch, that he will retire after this season.
News & Media
The signs and symptoms of pregnancy are so definite by the 12th week that the diagnosis is seldom a problem.
Encyclopedias
"The difficulty of doing anything definite by party politics, strange as it sounds, is what keeps us sane and lets us get on with our business".
News & Media
"I don't think it's a definite by any stretch of the imagination that we are in for a recovery in the second half," said K. Daniel Libby, a senior portfolio manager at Sands Brothers Select Access Management Fund.
News & Media
As to whether Iraq's current political system, created under foreign occupation, will last and prove stable and bring long term benefits – that something we should know for definite by 2028.
News & Media
In the case where and is symmetric positive definite, by putting (3.43).
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
27 human-written examples
Matrix ξ is positive semi-definite by definition.
We also show that, under a few reasonable assumptions, this system can be made symmetric positive-definite by following the methodology of [16].
Importantly, the data presented here show definite potentiation by PD0325901 of the inhibition of S6 phosphorylation produced by both PI3K inhibitors.
Science
These pairs are all ranked identically by the flux sampling method, but may be ranked in a definite order by the local and global topology methods.
Science
And he scored a definite hit by getting a bogus article published in Social Text, an academic journal of cultural studies.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When aiming for precision, replace the ungrammatical "definite by" with clearer alternatives like "defined by" or "determined by" to ensure accurate and comprehensible communication.
Common error
Avoid using "definite" when you intend to express causation or determination. While "definite" implies certainty, it does not inherently convey the idea that something is caused or influenced by something else. Use "defined by" or "determined by" instead.
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
2.2/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "definite by" is grammatically incorrect. The word "definite" is an adjective, and it requires a different preposition or verb to connect it properly in a sentence. Ludwig AI suggests using "defined by" or "determined by" as more appropriate alternatives.
Frequent in
Science
20%
News & Media
20%
Formal & Business
20%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
20%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "definite by" is grammatically incorrect and not recommended for use in standard English. As Ludwig AI explains, alternatives such as "defined by" or "determined by" should be used instead to convey the intended meaning of something being defined or determined by a particular factor. The analysis of real-world examples confirms the lack of correct usage, reinforcing the need for alternative phrasing to ensure clear and accurate communication.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
defined by
This alternative replaces "definite" with "defined", creating a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase indicating that something is determined or characterized by a specific factor.
determined by
This phrase uses "determined" instead of "definite", conveying that something is decided or influenced by a particular cause or condition.
established by
Replacing "definite" with "established" suggests that something is confirmed or proven through evidence or authority.
specified by
This alternative implies that something is explicitly stated or detailed by a particular source or standard.
identified by
Using "identified" indicates that something is recognized or distinguished based on certain characteristics or criteria.
characterized by
This phrase focuses on the distinguishing attributes or features that define something.
governed by
This alternative suggests that something is controlled or regulated by a set of rules or principles.
dictated by
Replacing "definite" with "dictated" emphasizes that something is determined by a powerful or authoritative source.
influenced by
This phrase indicates that something is affected or swayed by certain factors.
ascertained by
This alternative suggests that something is discovered or confirmed through investigation or analysis.
FAQs
What's wrong with the phrase "definite by"?
The phrase "definite by" is grammatically incorrect. A more appropriate construction would be "defined by" or "determined by", which clearly indicates that something is being defined or determined /s/determined+by a specific factor.
What can I say instead of "definite by"?
You can use alternatives like "defined by", "determined by", or "established by" depending on the context.
How do I use "defined by" in a sentence?
Use "defined by" to indicate that something's nature or characteristics are determined by a particular factor. For example, "Success is often defined by hard work and dedication."
Is "definite by" ever correct?
No, the phrase "definite by" is not considered correct in standard English. It's best to use alternatives like "defined by" or "ascertained by" for clarity and grammatical accuracy.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
2.2/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested