detail by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "detail by" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to indicate a method of providing information or specifics, but it lacks clarity without additional context. Example: "Please provide the report detail by section for better organization."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

He avoids questions that divulge detail by repeating statements that do not answer them.

The New York Times

Such moments are sure to have been studied in great detail by the Obama camp.

The Guardian

"I was asked to perform sexual favors in great detail by this manager," she said.

The New York Times

And sweating blood; being reasonable with Trudy, detail by tortuous detail.

The New Yorker

The next few moments were related in appalling detail by Smith at the inquest.

The Guardian

This will break down your energy use in detail by day, week, month and year.

The Guardian

This topic is covered in detail by the upcoming documentary National Bird.

The Guardian - Film

Over and over again, detail by detail, he tried to recall his conversation with Blankenship.

The New Yorker

This little-known chapter is recounted in fascinating detail by Lesley Chamberlain in "Lenin's Private War".

The New York Times - Books

"Divertimento," staged with exceptional detail by Susan Hendl, was beautifully danced with fine precision.

The New York Times - Arts

For Jan, whose evolution is rendered in ravishingly authentic detail by Mr. Sewell, religion is music.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, consider alternatives like "in detail" or "detailed by" instead of "detail by" to enhance readability and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "detail by" when you mean "in detail". "Detail by" is often grammatically incorrect. Instead, revise your sentence to use "in detail" or rephrase to be grammatically appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "detail by" often functions as an attempt to provide specific information attributed to a source. However, according to Ludwig, its structure is not grammatically correct and can lead to ambiguity. It's frequently misused where phrases like "in detail" or "detailed by" would be more appropriate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "detail by" appears across various sources, Ludwig indicates that it's generally grammatically incorrect. It's often used to attribute specifics to a source or method but is better replaced with grammatically sound alternatives like "in detail" or "detailed by". Although frequently used in contexts such as news, science, and encyclopedias, clarity and correctness are better served by opting for more precise phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

detail in

Focuses on where the detail is contained, rather than how it's provided or defined.

detail according to

Specifies that the detail is presented in agreement with a specific source or method.

outline by

Indicates a summary is provided by someone, versus full particulars.

clarification by

Suggests something is explained further by someone.

breakdown by

Refers to dissecting something into specific components by a certain factor.

explanation by

Highlights the act of elaborating or clarifying something from a given perspective.

covered by

Emphasizes that the topic is addressed or included within a broader scope.

specified by

Indicates that information is laid out explicitly by a particular source or standard.

described by

Highlights someone or something providing details.

defined by

Focuses on how the detail is established or determined by a specific set of criteria.

FAQs

How can I rephrase a sentence that includes "detail by" to improve its clarity?

Replace "detail by" with alternatives like "in detail" or restructure the sentence to use "detailed by", depending on the intended meaning.

Is "detail by" grammatically correct in formal writing?

According to Ludwig, the phrase "detail by" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Opt for more standard alternatives in formal contexts.

What's the difference between saying something is "described in detail" versus "detail by"?

"Described in detail" indicates a comprehensive account, while "detail by" may be attempting to attribute the specifics to a source. If you want to attribute the specifics to a source, it's better to use "detailed by".

In what contexts might I see "detail by" being used, even if it's not strictly correct?

You might encounter "detail by" in informal writing or speech, but it's advisable to use more precise and grammatically correct phrasing such as "in detail" in formal or professional settings.