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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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formulate by

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE 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

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

The New York Times

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.

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.

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

Unicef

Tajong-gyo was formulated by Na Chul.

Policies will be formulated by The Club Officers.

Cortes used the principles formulated by Saul Alinsky, the radical community organizer from Chicago.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Conran successfully commercialised the concept of "the art that is life" first formulated by John Ruskin.

These rules should not be formulated by the performance reporting team in isolation".

News & Media

The Guardian

According to the rules formulated by the Yankees, he would not pitch the next two days.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

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.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

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".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

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".

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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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: