existed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "existed by" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not typically used in standard English, and its intended meaning may be unclear without additional context. Example: "The ancient civilization existed by the river, thriving on its resources."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It seems to have existed by 1623.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They existed by being acted out.

The Guardian - Film

"He suddenly realized he existed by evidence, markings".

The Guardian - Arts

Much of what existed by way of source material has disappeared.

The Guardian

Two small Muslim trading kingdoms existed by that time at Samudra-Pasai and Perlak.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A controversy was created, where none had existed, by those who stood to gain.

The Economist

The cohors praetoria existed by the 2nd century bc, acting as bodyguards for Roman generals.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Fossil remains suggest that five distinct types of dogs existed by the beginning of the Bronze Age (about 4500 bce).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Open-topped, U-shaped sistrums existed by 2500 bc in Sumer and have been excavated near Tbilisi, Georgia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The notion that algorithms are better at this stuff than people are was popularized before Facebook even existed — by a tech company with its own big ambitions.

The New Yorker

The order Cuculiformes is not well represented in the fossil record, but cuckoos apparently existed by the early Paleogene Period, some 60 million years ago.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using more precise and grammatically standard alternatives like "was in existence by", "existed since", or "developed by" to ensure clarity and correctness in your writing.

Common error

Do not use "existed by" when you mean "existed near" or "was influenced by". Instead, choose a verb and preposition combination that clearly reflects the relationship you intend to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "existed by" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the time before which something was in existence. However, according to Ludwig AI, it's important to note this phrase is grammatically questionable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

21%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

19%

Less common in

Science

38%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "existed by" is used to indicate that something was in existence up to a certain point in time. However, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically questionable. Despite its common usage across various contexts—including encyclopedias, news media, and scientific articles—it's advisable to use more standard and precise alternatives such as "was in existence by", "existed since", or "was established by" to ensure clarity and correctness. When in doubt, consider the specific meaning you wish to convey and choose a phrase that accurately reflects that relationship.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Was in existence by

Uses a more standard verb phrase to indicate past existence at a specific time.

Was present since

Highlights a persistent presence from that moment on.

Dated back to

Specifically indicates the origin or start time of something.

Existed through

Emphasizes survival or continuation across a period.

Originated around

Focuses on the source of something that starts to exist.

Developed by

Indicates the tool for creating or developing something.

Established by

Focuses on who made the establishment.

Prevailed until

Highlights that it continue to have power or influence until the moment.

Lived near

Highlights the proximity of living, like "existed by the river".

Thrived alongside

Highlights the interaction between two things that both had existence.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "existed by" to be more grammatically correct?

Consider using alternatives such as "was in existence by", "existed since", or "developed by" to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy.

What's the difference between "existed by" and "existed since"?

"Existed by" is often used to indicate a point in time before which something was present, while "existed since" indicates a starting point from which something has continued to exist. Ludwig AI considers "existed by" as grammatically questionable.

Is it better to use "existed by" or "was established by"?

"Was established by" is generally preferable as it is grammatically standard and clearly indicates who or what established something. "Existed by" can be vague and is often considered incorrect.

When is it appropriate to use "existed by" in a sentence?

While there are instances where "existed by" appears in writing, it's often better to use clearer alternatives like "was present by" or "was in existence at" to avoid ambiguity and ensure grammatical correctness. Ludwig AI suggests the original is grammatically questionable.