months by which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "months by which" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where you are specifying a time frame or deadline related to months, but it may require additional clarification for better understanding. Example: "The project must be completed within the months by which we expect to see results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

The process could take two months, by which time the season might be canceled.

The New York Times - Sports

But it was more than 500 miles and took two months, by which time the samples were spoiled.

The Guardian

She suffered an undiagnosed herniated disc between her shoulder blades for six months, by which time she had muscle wastage.

The Guardian - Books

No decision is expected for six months, by which time the new London Mayor will be known.

Independent

They were not deployed for a further six months – by which time the killing had already stopped.

Independent

Boykin has postponed his racial discrimination lawsuit against the city of Columbus for six months, by which time he believes that the criminal case should be resolved.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Come Fly With Me is the name of a limited-edition, 500-case Bordeaux-style blend of a 2007 vintage Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon released by which company? a) Jimmy Van Heusen b) Pinky and Perky c) Sinatra Family Estates 17. September this year was declared California Wine Month by which wine-friendly star?

Independent

Chrysler, meanwhile, could get up to $500.0 million more by the end of the month, by which time it'll have to face liquidation unless it makes further cuts and takes on a partner.

Forbes

If not, continue the process to at least one month, by which time the scent should be strong enough.

WikiHow

He eventually rejoined them nine months later, by which time both adults and children were displaying symptoms of prolonged emotional stress and trauma.

The Guardian - Opinion

Twins and triplets are usually born and are left with their mothers until 4 or 5 months old, by which time they are almostnaturally weaned.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "months by which" to clearly indicate a point in time after a specific duration when a certain condition will be met or an event will occur. This helps provide a temporal context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "months by which" if the intention is not to specify a time frame leading to a particular outcome. Ensure that the sentence clearly establishes the relationship between the period and the subsequent event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "months by which" functions as a temporal marker, specifically indicating a duration after which a particular event or condition occurs. It adds a time-dependent context to the statement. Ludwig AI indicates this usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

30%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "months by which" serves as a temporal anchor, specifying a duration leading to a subsequent event or condition. Grammatically sound and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and scientific domains, it provides a timeline or deadline. While Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, alternative phrasing, such as "months during which", could enhance clarity in some situations. Ultimately, "months by which" is a useful tool for indicating a time-dependent context when employed with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

months during which

Replaces 'by which' with 'during which', focusing on the time period itself rather than the subsequent event.

months after which

Emphasizes the sequence of events, specifying the time before something else happens.

months following which

Similar to 'months after which' but more formal.

months whereupon

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying 'immediately after' a certain period.

months at the end of which

Highlights that the event occurs at the culmination of the specified time.

months leading up to

Shifts the focus to the period before the event, rather than the event itself.

months in which

More general, simply indicating that something happens within that timeframe.

months until

Specifies the end point, focusing on the wait rather than the resulting event.

months before

Highlights the time leading up to an event, useful when the 'by which' clause is implied.

months prior to which

A more formal variant indicating what comes before.

FAQs

How can I use "months by which" in a sentence?

Use "months by which" to indicate a duration of time after which something else happens or a condition is met. For example, "The project is expected to be completed in six months, by which time we should see significant results."

What's a good alternative to "months by which"?

Consider alternatives like "months during which" or "months after which" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "months by which" formal or informal?

"Months by which" is generally considered neutral to formal in tone and is suitable for various types of writing, including news articles and academic papers. However, be mindful of the overall context of your text.

How does "months by which" differ from "months later"?

"Months later" simply indicates the passage of time, whereas "months by which" implies a condition or event that will occur after that duration. It provides a stronger sense of causality or anticipation. Example: "He joined them nine months later, /s/months+later by which time both adults and children were displaying symptoms of prolonged emotional stress and trauma."