illustrate by

USAGE SUMMARY

"illustrate by" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is a phrase that is used to show how something is demonstrated or explained through visual or pictorial examples. It is often used in academic writing or when describing a process or concept. Example 1: In order to demonstrate the effects of climate change, the author illustrates by using graphs and charts. Example 2: The instructor asked the students to illustrate the concept of gravity by creating a visual representation. Example 3: The committee presented their findings by illustrating them with photographs and diagrams. Example 4: The children's book was beautifully illustrated by the talented artist. Example 5: The presenter effectively illustrated the importance of teamwork by using a real-life scenario.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

A simple thing enough, which I will illustrate by the case of sleep, he replied.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Let me illustrate by referring to the New Haven public schools.

Yale University

We may illustrate by the examples furnished by plaintiff in error.

Cornell University

We illustrate by an example how RATAN can be used in an embedded system design.

Readings in Hardware-Software Co-Design

We illustrate by formalising argument based logic programming with defeasible priorities in the extended theory.

Artificial Intelligence

Using the Gestalt, or Rotary-Frictional, method of taking the skin off a joke, we can best illustrate by making a diagram of it.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

APPLE FARMER ANNIE Written and illustrated by Monica Wellington.

The New York Times - Books

Juan Felipe Herrera, illustrated by Raul Colon.

Los Angeles Times

Margarita Engle, illustrated by Edel Rodriguez.

Los Angeles Times

Clive Gifford, illustrated by William Ings.

Los Angeles Times

(illustrated by: Tom Trager).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "illustrate by", ensure the example directly and clearly supports the point you're making. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly connecting the example to the concept you're illustrating.

Common error

Avoid using "illustrate by" with examples that only loosely relate to your main point. This can confuse readers and weaken your argument. Always ensure a strong, direct link between the illustration and the concept.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "illustrate by" functions as a transitional phrase to introduce examples or evidence that support a claim. As Ludwig AI indicates, it serves to demonstrate or explain a concept visually or concretely. The phrase is widely recognized and utilized in academic, scientific, and journalistic contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

31%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "illustrate by" is a versatile and widely used expression for introducing examples that clarify or support a claim. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently found across various domains. Its strong presence in scientific, news, and academic sources indicates its suitability for formal and professional contexts. When employing "illustrate by", ensure that your examples directly reinforce the intended message. Related phrases like "exemplify with" or "demonstrate through" offer similar functionality with slight variations in tone and emphasis, thus offering options depending on what you want to emphasize. Remember to use it precisely to support your main idea and make your writing more credible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exemplify with

Replaces "illustrate" with "exemplify", emphasizing the use of a specific example. It is slightly more formal.

demonstrate through

Uses "demonstrate" instead of "illustrate", suggesting a more active showing of something through a particular method.

show by means of

More verbose but emphasizes the method or tool used for illustration.

clarify using

Focuses on making something clear, with the method being the use of something specific.

elucidate through

More formal and emphasizes making something clear or easy to understand through a specific method or example.

explain with

Broader term than "illustrate"; suggests a more general explanation supported by something.

highlight by

Suggests bringing attention to something specific as a way of illustrating a point.

present via

Indicates a way or medium through which something is shown or illustrated.

detail using

Focuses on providing details as the method of illustration.

offer an instance of

Provides a specific occurrence or example to support a statement or concept.

FAQs

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

Use "illustrate by" to introduce an example that clarifies or supports your statement. For instance, "The impact of technology on communication can be "illustrated by" the rise of social media."

What are some alternatives to "illustrate by"?

Alternatives include "exemplify with", "demonstrate through", or "show by means of", each varying slightly in formality and emphasis.

Is there a difference between "illustrate by" and "explain with"?

"Illustrate by" typically refers to providing a visual or concrete example, while "explain with" suggests a more general explanation that may not be visual. You would "illustrate by" showing a graph, but "explain with" a detailed description.

Can "illustrate by" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "illustrate by" is suitable for formal writing, including academic and professional contexts. It provides a clear and direct way to support your arguments with evidence. Make sure that your supporting evidence is factual and comes from credible sources.