it was by design

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was by design" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase when something was done intentionally. For example, "The new website's ease of use was by design, to increase the number of visitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

It was, by design, an international style.

The New York Times - Arts

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

The New York Times

If Pelini sounded less than effusive in his praise for Martinez, it was by design.

The New York Times - Sports

But Girardi said it was by design and did not constitute a setback.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm not saying it was by design or by our superior enlightenment but, for whatever reasons – and much of it was muddled – we avoided those extremes.

The Guardian

In part, this was because Nabokov was spreading butterflies at the museum or lecturing at Wellesley; in larger part, it was by design.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

It's by design.

The Guardian - Opinion

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

And more often than not it's by design.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was by design" to clearly indicate that an outcome or feature was intentionally created or planned, especially when contrasting it with accidental occurrences.

Common error

Avoid using "it was by design" excessively in casual conversations; simpler phrases like "it was intentional" or "it was on purpose" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was by design" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that an action or outcome was intentional and not accidental. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was by design" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase that indicates intentionality. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for use in written English. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts. While it's generally neutral in tone, you should avoid overusing it in very informal settings. Alternatives include "it was intentional" and "it was deliberate". The phrase effectively communicates that something was planned and not accidental.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was intentional

Focuses on the intent behind the action, rather than the planning.

it was deliberate

Emphasizes the careful and thoughtful nature of the action.

it was planned

Highlights the prearranged aspect of the action.

it was on purpose

A more informal way of saying something was not accidental.

it was calculated

Suggests a degree of strategy or forethought.

it was predetermined

Implies that the outcome was decided in advance.

it was prearranged

Focuses on the agreement or coordination beforehand.

it was a conscious decision

Highlights the awareness and intent of the decision-maker.

it was strategically implemented

Emphasizes the use of a specific strategy to achieve a goal.

it was not accidental

Negatively frames the action as not being a coincidence or mistake.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was by design" to emphasize that something was done intentionally and not by accident. For example, "The website's user-friendly interface "it was by design" to improve user engagement."

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

Alternatives include "it was intentional", "it was deliberate", or "it was planned". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it was by design" formal or informal?

"It was by design" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's suitable for news articles, reports, and professional communications, but might sound a bit stilted in very casual conversation.

What is the difference between "it was by design" and "it was an accident"?

"It was by design" indicates that something was intentional and pre-planned, whereas "it was an accident" means it happened unintentionally or by chance. They are direct opposites.