it decayed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it decayed by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a process of decay or deterioration that occurs due to a specific factor or over a certain period of time. Example: "The fruit decayed by exposure to air and moisture, leading to its rapid spoilage."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Berkeley team reported that the isotope 257103 was detected in this manner, and that it decayed by emitting an 8.6 MeV alpha particle with a half-life of (8 ± 2) s.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Uranium-238 has a half-life of about 1016 years when it decays by spontaneous fission, whereas fermium-256 decays with a half-life of about three hours.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It decays by emission of a α-particle to 237Np; the half-life of this decay was first determined as 510 ± 20 years but then corrected to 432.2 years.

Wikipedia

It decays by electron capture to stable Cd.

European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

Cu is a highly unusual isotope because it decays by three processes, namely, positron, electron capture, and beta decays.

BioMed Research International

It decayed into insignificance by 500BC, and was lost until two centuries ago.

The Guardian

However, with little maintenance being done on the road, it decayed over time until by the early nineteenth century little remained of the road.

Wikipedia

It mainly decays by emission of electrons to 248Cf with a half-life of 25 (±5) minutes, but also releases α-particles of 6.87 MeV energy, with the ratio of electrons to α-particles of about 400.

Wikipedia

Therefore, any primordial berkelium, that is, berkelium present on the Earth during its formation, has decayed by now.

Wikipedia

Therefore, any primordial americium (americium that was present on Earth during its formation) should have decayed by now.

Wikipedia

Therefore, any primordial curium, that is curium present on the Earth during its formation, should have decayed by now.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the rate of decay, specify the agent or factor that accelerates or decelerates the process. For instance, "The wood decayed by moisture" provides a clearer understanding than simply stating, "The wood decayed."

Common error

Avoid using "it decayed by" when referring to processes that involve growth or positive change. "Decay" implies deterioration or breakdown, so ensure the context aligns with this negative connotation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it decayed by" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process of deterioration or breakdown caused by a specific agent or factor. As Ludwig AI highlights, this construction is grammatically sound and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it decayed by" effectively conveys the process of deterioration or breakdown due to a specific cause. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While versatile across various contexts like Science, News & Media and Wiki, it maintains a neutral tone. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the agent causing the decay and avoid using it in contexts involving growth or positive change. Consider alternatives such as "it deteriorated due to" or "it degraded because of" for nuanced meanings. The phrase is very commonly used in the corpus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it deteriorated due to

Replaces "decayed" with "deteriorated", emphasizing a gradual decline in quality or condition caused by something.

it degraded because of

Substitutes "decayed" with "degraded", highlighting a reduction in worth or quality resulting from a specific factor.

it decomposed as a result of

Replaces "decayed" with "decomposed", focusing on the breakdown of organic matter due to something.

it crumbled under

Uses "crumbled" to describe a sudden or progressive collapse or breakdown, typically under pressure or influence of something.

it declined as a consequence of

Replaces "decayed" with "declined", focusing on reduction in quality, quantity, or vigor because of something.

it disintegrated owing to

Replaces "decayed" with "disintegrated", highlighting a breakdown into smaller parts or components because of something.

it weakened due to

Substitutes "decayed" with "weakened", focusing on a loss of strength or effectiveness as a result of something.

it was ruined by

Uses "ruined" to describe the destruction or spoiling of something due to a particular cause.

it was affected by

Replaces "decayed" with "affected", focusing on the negative impact or influence on something due to something.

it suffered from

Substitutes "decayed" with "suffered", focusing on undergoing hardship or damage because of something.

FAQs

How can I use "it decayed by" in a sentence?

You can use "it decayed by" to describe how something deteriorated or broke down due to a specific cause. For example, "The metal "it decayed by" exposure to acid" indicates the cause of the decay.

What are some alternatives to saying "it decayed by"?

Alternatives include "it deteriorated due to", "it degraded because of", or "it decomposed as a result of", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "it decayed by" and "it was decayed by"?

Yes, "it decayed by" is active voice, indicating something decayed due to a cause. "It was decayed by" is passive voice, which is grammatically incorrect because "decay" is intransitive.

When is it appropriate to use "it decayed by" in writing?

Use "it decayed by" when describing a process of deterioration where you want to emphasize the cause of the decay. It's suitable for describing the breakdown of physical objects or abstract concepts.