not by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not by" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is not achieved or accomplished in a certain way or by a certain means. Example: He did not win the race by cheating, but rather by training hard and pushing himself to the limit.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Not by nature, not by instinct".

The New York Times

Not by me, anyways.

The New Yorker

Not by accident.

The New York Times

But not by Romney.

The New York Times

Not by this bonbon.

The New York Times - Arts

Not by much.

The New York Times - Sports

"But not by me".

The New York Times

Not by half.

The New York Times

Not by any means.

The Economist

But not by protesters.

The New York Times

Not by my standards.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not by" to clearly negate a specific method or means, ensuring that the alternative action or cause is evident in the context.

Common error

Ensure that the negation introduced by "not by" clearly applies to the intended method or agent, and doesn't unintentionally broaden to affect other parts of the sentence. Use precise wording to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not by" functions primarily as a negating prepositional phrase. Ludwig AI's analysis shows it's used to deny a specific method or means, often followed by an alternative approach.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not by" is a versatile phrase used to negate a specific method, means, or cause, often highlighting an alternative. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media contexts. When using "not by", ensure the scope of your negation is clear, and consider more formal alternatives like "not by means of" for professional writing. Understanding these nuances will help you wield "not by" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not by means of

More formal way of saying 'not by', emphasizing the method.

without using

Emphasizes the absence of a particular method or tool.

not through

Focuses on the absence of a specific channel or medium.

not via

Similar to 'not through', indicating an alternative route or means.

not with

Highlights the absence of a particular tool or resource.

not by virtue of

Indicates that something is not achieved because of a specific quality or attribute.

not determined by

Highlights that something is not decided or influenced by a specific factor.

not caused by

Indicates that something is not the result of a particular cause.

not dependent on

Focuses on the lack of reliance on something.

independent of

Emphasizes the separation from a particular influence or factor.

FAQs

How can I use "not by" in a sentence?

Use "not by" to negate a particular method or means of achieving something. For example, "He succeeded "not by cheating", but through hard work."

What are some alternatives to "not by"?

Alternatives include phrases like "without using", "not through", or "not via", depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "not by means of" instead of "not by"?

Yes, "not by means of" is a more formal and emphatic way of saying "not by", suitable for more formal writing or speech.

How does "not by" differ from "not because of"?

"Not by" negates a method or means, while "not because of" negates a cause or reason. For example, "He won "not by luck"" (method), versus "He won "not because of luck"" (cause).