it is by design

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is by design" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was intentionally created or arranged in a particular way. Example: "The layout of the website is minimalistic; it is by design to enhance user experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

The problem with the open source community is that it is, by design, not owed anything for its work, yet expects utmost deference to be paid.

TechCrunch

In other cases, it is by design.

The New York Times

It is By Design Interiors, not Design Interiors.

The New York Times

It is, by design, more practical than philosophical.

The New Yorker

It is (by design) hard to argue with someone saying they "need" you to do something.

The Guardian - Books

But whether it is by design or necessity, Michigan State may be the perfect college rebounding team.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

It's by design.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was, by design, an international style.

The New York Times - Arts

And more often than not it's by design.

The New York Times

It was, by design, a concert full of messages about an inclusive America.

The New York Times

Filling female rosters "isn't something we do by luck, it's by design," Hamilton said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is by design" to clearly convey that something was intentionally created or arranged in a particular way, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it is by design" when describing unintended consequences or coincidental events; reserve it for situations where deliberate planning or intent was involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is by design" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that an action or outcome was intentional, planned, or deliberate. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and is used to convey the intentionality behind something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is by design" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something was intentionally planned or created for a specific purpose. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is perfectly usable in written English. It is found most frequently in news, media, and scientific contexts. When writing, ensure you use "it is by design" only when referring to planned or intentional outcomes, as using it for accidental events would be a misuse. Alternatives include "it is intentional" or "it is deliberate".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is intentional

Emphasizes the intent behind the action or outcome, rather than the planning or arrangement.

it is deliberate

Highlights the conscious and careful nature of the action, often implying a specific purpose.

it was planned

Focuses on the planning stage, indicating that the outcome was not accidental.

it was arranged

Implies that specific steps were taken to bring about the result, highlighting the organization involved.

it is purposeful

Stresses the presence of a clear aim or goal behind the action.

it is on purpose

A more informal way of saying "it is intentional".

it is calculated

Suggests that the action was carefully considered, often with a strategic or manipulative intent.

it is strategic

Highlights the use of a well-thought-out plan to achieve a specific advantage or outcome.

it is predetermined

Emphasizes that the result was decided in advance and not subject to chance or change.

it is prearranged

Indicates a prior agreement or understanding that led to the outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "it is by design" in a sentence?

Use "it is by design" to indicate that something was intentionally planned or created with a specific purpose. For instance: "The website's minimalistic design "it is by design" to enhance user experience".

What are some alternatives to "it is by design"?

You can use alternatives such as "it is intentional", "it is deliberate", or "it was planned" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it redundant to say "it is by intentional design"?

While not strictly incorrect, "it is by intentional design" can be seen as slightly redundant. The phrase ""it is by design"" already implies intentionality, so adding "intentional" may be unnecessary.

What is the difference between "it is by design" and "it happened by design"?

"It is by design" indicates a current state or characteristic resulting from intentional planning, whereas "it happened by design" emphasizes the process or event of something being intentionally brought about.