is working by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is working by" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to describe the method or means by which something is functioning, but it is better to use more common expressions. Example: "The system is working by utilizing advanced algorithms to process data efficiently."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

In a sense, the system is working by providing relief at a time of economic stress.

The New York Times

"This will be welcome news for SSE's customers and shows that the government's work to reduce energy bills is working by lowering policy costs and driving competition.

The Guardian - Business

In a brief appearance with Mr. Xi, Mr. Obama was more diplomatic, though he, too, said he wanted to make sure "everybody is working by the same rules of the road when it comes to the world economic system".

The New York Times

Defenders of the system say surpluses created by the economic collapse show that the system is working, by rewarding companies at times when they polluted less and by cutting them slack at a time of economic hardship.

The New York Times

In Oman, however, as reported by interviewee 6, "…there is no good cooperation (everybody is working by himself)" (Interview 12).

Energy Transitions

The other type of measures allows evaluating how well the clustering is working by comparing the groups produced by the clustering techniques to known classes.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

It is worked by forging, drawing, or extruding.

Wikipedia

He said it could be working by 2015.

The New York Times

The line should have been working by last December.

The Economist

A spokeswoman said it should be working by next week.

The New York Times - Arts

Dumile had said he'd be working by noon; it was now four o'clock.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is working by", ensure the context clearly specifies the method or agent facilitating the action. Consider alternatives like "functions through" or "operates via" for improved clarity and style.

Common error

Avoid using "is working by" when a more direct verb or phrase would be clearer. Overusing this structure can lead to wordy and less impactful writing. For instance, instead of "the system is working by processing data", try "the system processes data".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is working by" functions as a verb phrase indicating the method or means by which something operates or achieves a result. It connects an action with the process that enables it, similar to examples found by Ludwig, such as describing how a system provides relief during economic stress.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

31%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is working by" serves to explain the method or process through which something operates, as highlighted in Ludwig examples across news, science, and general contexts. While grammatically acceptable, it may benefit from stronger verbs and more specific phrasing, especially in formal writing. As suggested by Ludwig AI, alternatives like "functions through" or "operates via" can enhance clarity and style. Consider this guidance to ensure precise and impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

works through

Similar to the original, but potentially more concise and common in certain contexts.

functions through

Focuses on the mechanism by which something operates, emphasizing the process.

operates via

Highlights the means or channel through which something is effective.

is achieved through

Emphasizes the outcome and the method used to reach it.

is accomplished by

Stresses the successful completion of a task through a particular method.

is implemented via

Focuses on the practical application and the specific method of implementation.

is driven by

Emphasizes the force or motivation behind the action.

is facilitated by

Highlights the enabling factor or agent that makes something possible.

relies on

Highlights the dependence of something on a particular factor or method.

is based on

Indicates the foundation or principle upon which something operates.

FAQs

How can I rephrase the sentence "The system is working by using advanced algorithms"?

You can rephrase it as "The system "functions through" advanced algorithms", "The system "operates via" advanced algorithms", or "The system "uses advanced algorithms"" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "is working by" in formal writing?

While grammatically acceptable, "is working by" can sound less polished in formal writing. Consider using stronger verbs or more concise phrases such as "functions through" or "operates via" for a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "is working by" and "is working through"?

"Is working by" emphasizes the method or agent facilitating the action, while "is working through" often implies overcoming obstacles or progressing through a process. For example, "The engine is working by using fuel injection" versus "The team is working through the challenges to meet the deadline".

What are some common alternatives to "is working by" that are more concise?

Some concise alternatives include ""functions through"", ""operates via"", or simply using a more direct verb construction (e.g., "The device uses X" instead of "The device is working by using X").