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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
formulate by
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "formulate by" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly as it lacks a clear subject or object to indicate what is being formulated. Example: "The theory was formulated by scientists over many years of research."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Formal & Business
Science
News & Media
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
4 human-written examples
The sale of farmland will be regulated by laws the government says it will formulate by the end of the year.
News & Media
Even when nonmonotonic reasoning merely represents reasoning from partly tacit assumptions, the crucial assumptions may be difficult or impossible to formulate by means of received logical concepts.
Encyclopedias
Here we define 'directed actions' as physical movements that learners are instructed to formulate by some kind of pedagogical agent (Thomas & Lleras, 2009).
Because of recent dramatic reductions in the DNA sequencing costs, comparative genomics studies of Borrelia species are now a cost effective way to provide a firm foundation for the generation of new, informed, and testable hypotheses which would be difficult or impossible to formulate by other means.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
56 human-written examples
iv.That during the workshop chiefs had agreed that after the workshop, they were going to carry out sensitisation activities in their chiefdoms, form watchdog committees to monitor and spearhead the implementation of MOE policies and formulate by-laws.
Formal & Business
Tajong-gyo was formulated by Na Chul.
Encyclopedias
Policies will be formulated by The Club Officers.
Academia
Cortes used the principles formulated by Saul Alinsky, the radical community organizer from Chicago.
News & Media
Conran successfully commercialised the concept of "the art that is life" first formulated by John Ruskin.
News & Media
These rules should not be formulated by the performance reporting team in isolation".
News & Media
According to the rules formulated by the Yankees, he would not pitch the next two days.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Opt for stronger, more precise verbs like "develop", "create", or "design" depending on the specific context to improve clarity and impact.
Common error
A common error is using "formulate by" when "formulated by" is intended. Remember that "formulated" is the past participle of "formulate" and should be used when indicating that something has already been created or developed. "Formulate by" is grammatically unsound and lacks a clear subject or object.
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
2.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "formulate by" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It appears to be an attempt to express agency, but lacks the correct past participle form. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, the correct form is "formulated by".
Frequent in
Formal & Business
33%
Science
33%
News & Media
34%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "formulate by" appears in various sources, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI highlights, the correct form is "formulated by" or alternatives like "developed by" or "created by". Due to its grammatical issues, it is best to avoid this phrase in formal writing and opt for more precise and grammatically sound alternatives to ensure clarity and professionalism. Ludwig's analysis also suggests considering the specific context and choosing verbs that accurately reflect the intended meaning, such as "design", "establish", or "conceive".
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
develop by
This alternative focuses on the gradual creation and expansion of something over time, similar to the evolutionary aspect of formulation.
create by
This option emphasizes the act of bringing something new into existence, highlighting the inventive aspect of formulation.
design by
Use "design by" to highlight the structured planning and purposeful construction involved in the formulation process.
establish by
This focuses on setting up or founding a concept, principle, or system, highlighting the authoritative aspect of formulation.
conceive by
This alternative highlights the origin of an idea or plan within someone's mind, emphasizing the initial thought process.
invent by
Use "invent by" to emphasize the originality and ingenuity involved in creating something entirely new.
devise by
This alternative suggests a clever or intricate plan or solution is created, highlighting the thoughtfulness of formulation.
originate by
Use "originate by" when emphasizing the source or beginning of something, highlighting its starting point of formulation.
pioneer by
This term suggests an innovative initial approach, highlighting the groundbreaking nature of formulation.
institute by
This option highlights the formal introduction or establishment of a system, rule, or policy.
FAQs
Is the phrase "formulate by" grammatically correct?
No, the phrase "formulate by" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It often lacks a clear subject or object. The correct phrasing is typically "formulated by". Alternatives include "developed by" or "created by".
What are some alternatives to using "formulate by"?
Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "developed by", "designed by", or "established by". The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize creation, design, or establishment.
When should I use "formulated by" instead of "formulate by"?
"Formulated by" should be used when referring to something that has already been created or developed. For example, "The theory was "formulated by" scientists over many years of research."
How does using "formulate by" affect the clarity of my writing?
Using "formulate by" can make your writing unclear and grammatically unsound. It's better to use stronger, more precise verbs such as "develop by", "design by", or "establish by" to improve clarity and impact.
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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
2.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested