going by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "going by" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to mean "based on," and can often be used in place of phrases like "according to," or "based on." For example, "Going by the number of people at the event, it was a success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Anybody going by could look inside".

The New Yorker

Randi: There's a sadness that it's going by too fast.

The New York Times

"The trucks are going by".

The New York Times

They kept going by playing blackjack.

The New Yorker

We had a million airplanes going by.

The New Yorker

I'm going by the audiences' reaction.

The Guardian - Film

But I fancy going by horse.

Independent

Jonny is still going, by the way.

The Guardian - Sport

Not going by Balls' response.

The Guardian

It's dangerous going by stereotypes".

The Guardian - Music

"I will be going by, er... boat".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "going by", ensure that the source or basis for your statement is clear to the reader. For example, "Going by the latest polls, the election is still too close to call."

Common error

Avoid using "going by" when the basis of your statement is unclear or subjective. Instead of saying "The project is going by well", specify what metrics you're using to assess its success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going by" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an introductory element to provide the basis or source of information for a statement. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage, highlighting its role in setting context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "going by" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate the basis of an opinion or decision. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, and it can be effectively replaced by phrases such as "based on" or "according to". Its neutral register makes it appropriate for various contexts, including news, academic writing, and everyday conversation. When using "going by", make sure that the source of information is clear to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

based on

Focuses on the foundation or evidence used for forming an opinion or making a decision.

according to

Emphasizes the source of information or authority for a statement or belief.

judging from

Highlights the act of making an assessment or forming an opinion based on available evidence.

relying on

Stresses the dependence on certain information or factors when making a determination.

using as a guide

Implies utilizing something as a reference or standard for navigation or decision-making.

taking into account

Indicates the consideration of certain factors or information when forming a judgment.

in accordance with

Suggests adherence to a set of rules, standards, or guidelines.

by means of

Highlights the method or instrument used to achieve a certain outcome.

following the lead of

Emphasizes imitating or adopting the actions or opinions of someone else.

drawing from

Indicates sourcing information or inspiration from a particular origin.

FAQs

How can I use "going by" in a sentence?

"Going by" indicates reliance on a specific source or piece of information. For example, "Going by the weather forecast, it will rain tomorrow" or "Going by what she said, the deal is off."

What's a simple way to rephrase "going by"?

You can replace "going by" with phrases such as "based on", "according to", or "judging from depending on the specific context".

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "going by"?

Yes, it's perfectly acceptable to start a sentence with "going by" when you want to immediately establish the foundation for your statement or opinion. For example, "Going by these results, we should change our strategy".

What is the difference between "going by" and "goes by"?

"Going by" is a present participle phrase typically used to mean "based on". "Goes by" is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb "go", often used to describe how time passes or what name someone uses. For example, "Time "goes by" quickly" versus "Going by the clock, we're late".