goes by itself

USAGE SUMMARY

"goes by itself" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means that something happens or functions without needing any external help or intervention. Example: "My car is old but it still goes by itself, I rarely have to take it to the mechanic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The newspaper goes by itself.

The New York Times

At one point, he introduces the primitive eighties keyboard he uses on "Tower of Song" by observing dryly, "I know you've probably never seen one of these before, but it goes by itself".

The New Yorker

"The purpose was to remind him there were two pathways to the elections," the official said, "one where Honduras goes by itself and the other where it goes with broad support from the international community".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

And then it would just go by itself, more or less," he says.

MIT Technology Review

You might think, 'We have made this revolution, it will go by itself.' No, you have to still be pushing.

The Guardian - Music

Draghi, who said the ECB could not get the economy going by itself, has been in conflict with the national governments in countries such as France and Italy.

The Guardian - Business

Still: "Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved toy sphere which may go by itself". This is a ball with gears, axles, rollers and a battery-powered motor.

The New York Times - Magazine

"They didn't need a special delivery of this material into the cell; it went by itself.

Science Magazine

While it's necessary to prevent more plastic from entering the ocean, what is there already isn't going to go away by itself, he added.

The New York Times - Science

But the yearning for "sensible centrism" is apparently not going to go away by itself, with the Sunday Times reporting that "moderate" Labour MPs are plotting to start a new party.

Vice

The maternity ward itself goes by the grim sobriquet "baby slaughterhouse".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "goes by itself" to describe systems, processes, or even medical conditions that resolve without external intervention. It clearly conveys the idea of autonomy or spontaneous resolution.

Common error

While "goes by itself" is widely understood, overuse in formal or technical writing can sound informal. In such contexts, consider more precise terms like "self-regulating", "autonomous", or "spontaneous" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "goes by itself" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something happens, operates, or resolves without external help or intervention. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "goes by itself" succinctly describes something that operates or resolves without external intervention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used. While versatile, be mindful of its informal tone in highly formal contexts and consider synonyms like "functions autonomously" or "resolves spontaneously" for greater precision. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Academia, it conveys self-sufficiency across various subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

functions autonomously

Emphasizes the capacity to operate independently without external control.

operates independently

Highlights the self-governing nature of the action or process.

works automatically

Focuses on the automated nature of the process, needing no manual input.

runs unaided

Stresses the lack of assistance required for the action to occur.

proceeds without assistance

Highlights the absence of help or support in the continuation of a process.

manages independently

Emphasizes the ability to handle tasks or situations without external supervision.

self-manages

A more concise way to convey that something handles itself without external help.

is self-sufficient

Indicates the ability to provide for its own needs without external reliance.

happens spontaneously

Focuses on the lack of premeditation or external cause for an event.

unfolds naturally

Highlights the inherent and unforced development of a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "goes by itself" in a sentence?

You can use "goes by itself" to describe a situation or object that operates or resolves without external intervention. For example, "The infection usually "goes away by itself" in a few weeks" or "The newspaper "goes by itself"."

What are some alternatives to "goes by itself"?

Alternatives include phrases like "operates independently", "functions autonomously", or "resolves spontaneously", depending on the context. Each of these "alternative phrases" emphasizes different aspects of autonomy or self-sufficiency.

Is "goes by itself" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "goes by itself" might sound informal in certain contexts. For formal or technical writing, consider using more precise terms like "self-regulating", "autonomous", or "spontaneous".

What does it mean when something "goes by itself"?

When something "goes by itself", it means that it proceeds, operates, or resolves without any external assistance or intervention. The term suggests autonomy and self-sufficiency.