distinguish by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "distinguish by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when making a distinction between two or more things based on a certain criteria or characteristic. For example, "We can distinguish between the two books by their length. The first book is 500 pages long while the second book is only 300 pages long."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After reading your blog post I wondered if you could distinguish by motive.

The Economist

We distinguish by outcomes, contrasting entrance into marriage versus cohabitation, as well as the disruption of non-coresidential sexual unions.

Princeton University

Dr. Miesenböck's team was able to distinguish, by their genetics, different classes of the dopamine-making neurons.

The New York Times - Science

While oxidation/corrosion and delamination are processes difficult to distinguish by EIS, oxide formation could be confirmed by ATR-FTIR.

Electrochimica Acta

The most difficult terrace to distinguish by these criteria are erosional terraces that are cut across a thick, unconsolidated valley fill.

Britannica

As a result, it can help to break the limitation that analytes with similar redox properties are difficult to distinguish by electrochemical methods.

Electrochimica Acta

The Trump administration has taken in various for different stances from the Obama administration but almost all of them distinguish by the fact that they don't frame climate change in terms of climate change even when they address it.

Columbia University

Florida and Montana have broad capital rape laws on the books that do not distinguish by the victim's age, though the Florida Supreme Court has ruled that the Florida law is unconstitutional.

The New York Times

Some birds that a human could not distinguish by sight as belonging to different species can recognize one another by subtle differences in song, Mr. McGowan said, and other species engage in elaborate and distinctive courtship displays when mating.

The New York Times - Science

In line with these results, metagenomic analysis showed that MUC and PEC benthic microbial communities share the main common bacterial phyla found in coastal environments, although can be distinguish by greater abundance of Cyanobacteria in MUC and Deltaproteobacteria in PEC.

Science of The Total Environment

Sometimes it is possible to distinguish, by a subtle form of titling, those national encyclopaedias that deal with the world scene from those that concentrate chiefly on their own country.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "distinguish by", ensure the criteria for distinction are clearly defined and relevant to the context.

Common error

Avoid using "distinguish by" without explicitly stating the distinguishing factors; otherwise, the statement lacks clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distinguish by" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of differentiating or recognizing differences between items based on a specific criterion. It pinpoints the method used for identification. Ludwig AI confirms the usability of this phrase in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

18%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "distinguish by" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase employed to articulate the basis upon which differences are recognized. Ludwig AI validates its frequent usage across diverse fields, notably science, news, and academia. While maintaining a neutral register, it demands precision in specifying the differentiating criteria. Remember to clarify the specific factors that enable distinction, avoiding ambiguity in your writing. Common alternatives include "differentiate through" and "identify via". This phrase serves as a powerful tool for clear and concise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distinguish on the basis of

A formal alternative highlighting the foundation for differentiation.

differentiate through

This alternative focuses on the act of differentiation using a specific method or characteristic.

identify via

This option emphasizes the means by which something is identified.

discern by means of

This phrase is more formal and highlights the method used for discerning.

recognize through

Emphasizes the process of recognition enabled by specific features.

tell apart based on

This is a more informal way to express distinguishing based on certain features.

separate according to

This emphasizes the act of separation following specific criteria.

segregate by

Highlights the act of segregating based on defined attributes.

classify by

Focuses on sorting or grouping based on characteristics.

know by

A simple way to express identification based on a particular trait.

FAQs

How to use "distinguish by" in a sentence?

Use "distinguish by" to show how things are different, for example: "We can "distinguish by color", size, or shape."

What can I say instead of "distinguish by"?

Alternatives include "differentiate through", "identify via", or "discern by means of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "distinguish by"?

Yes, "distinguish by" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to indicate the criteria used for differentiation.

What's the difference between "distinguish by" and "differ by"?

"Distinguish by" emphasizes the act of identifying differences based on specific criteria, while "differ by" simply states that differences exist, without necessarily focusing on the act of identification.