outweigh by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outweigh by" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English in certain contexts.
The phrasal verb "outweigh by" means to be more significant or have more influence than something else. It is typically used to compare two things and determine which one is more influential or important. Example: The benefits of exercising daily far outweigh the inconvenience of waking up early. In this sentence, "outweigh" is followed by the preposition "by" to show the comparison between the benefits of exercising and the inconvenience of waking up early. Another example could be: The advantages of buying a house outweigh the costs by a long shot. In this example, "outweigh" is followed by the preposition "by" and the expression "a long shot" to show that the advantages are significantly more important than the costs.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Mr. Baker, a Senate expert, added, "The number of veteran senators certainly will outweigh by a considerable margin the number of people with no legislative experience whatsoever".

The New York Times

The composer of "Ecce Cor Meum" ("Behold My Heart") should be happy in the knowledge that his popular songs outweigh by virtue of their lightness all the groans and teeth-grindings, for example, of late-20th-century German opera.

The New York Times - Arts

The magnitude of this difference, of the order of 96% (Table 3), is a clear indication of how partial volume losses outweigh by far the 47% under-estimation related to attenuation and scatter/septal penetration (Table 2).

EJNMMI Physics

Nevertheless, if taken at face value, they show that the benefits to society of road safety research are large and outweigh by a wide margin the costs of the research, and of the road safety measures developed as a result of research.

Accident Analysis & Prevention

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

All that is outweighed by his merits.

The New York Times - Books

Anani was outweighed by 35 pounds.

The New York Times

Those gains are outweighed by the risks.

The Guardian

"The curiosity," Eisenberg says, "is outweighed by my terror".

The Guardian - Film

Luckily, these faults are outweighed by the idiosyncratic tips.

The New York Times

The risks from vaccines are outweighed by the benefits".

The New York Times

For many women, the risk is outweighed by tremendous benefits.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "outweigh by" when clearly demonstrating that one factor's significance or impact surpasses another by a measurable or evident margin. For impact, avoid generic descriptions like "a lot". Be specific, for instance, "The benefits outweigh the risks by a factor of three".

Common error

Avoid using "outweigh by" in situations where the difference in significance is not clearly evident or quantifiable. Using vague comparisons weakens the statement's impact. For instance, instead of saying "The good outweighed the bad by a lot," provide a more specific and convincing comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outweigh by" functions as a comparative expression, used to indicate that one element or factor is more significant or influential than another. As Ludwig AI suggests, it allows for a direct comparison emphasizing the degree of difference.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outweigh by" is a grammatically correct phrase used to compare the significance or influence of two factors, with one being more important than the other. Ludwig AI analysis shows it to be a valid and useful expression, albeit relatively infrequent. While most commonly found in news and scientific contexts, according to the provided examples, it is important to ensure comparisons are clear and quantifiable to maximize the phrase's impact. Consider alternative phrases to add nuance, and avoid vagueness in expressing the degree to which something "outweighs" something else.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compensate by

Focuses on counterbalancing a negative with a positive, rather than one thing exceeding another.

offset by

Similar to compensate, focusing on neutralizing or counteracting something.

dominate by

Suggests a stronger level of control or influence compared to simply outweighing.

outstrip by

Emphasizes exceeding or surpassing in speed or progress, rather than general importance.

transcend by

Implies surpassing something to a higher level, not just exceeding in weight or influence.

predominate by

Indicates being the most common or noticeable element, not necessarily the most influential.

outnumber by

Refers specifically to numerical superiority, not necessarily importance.

overtake by

Suggests passing or surpassing in a competitive context, not necessarily influence.

outshine by

Focuses on exceeding in brilliance or attractiveness, rather than general weight.

supersede by

Implies replacing something, rather than simply being more important.

FAQs

How can I use "outweigh by" in a sentence?

Use "outweigh by" to indicate that one aspect is more significant or important than another. For example, "The benefits of this policy outweigh the costs by a considerable margin."

What are some alternatives to "outweigh by"?

You can use alternatives such as "compensate by", "dominate by", or "outstrip by" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the advantages outweigh the disadvantages by far"?

Yes, that's a correct and common way to use the phrase. It indicates that the advantages are significantly more important or numerous than the disadvantages.

What's the difference between "outweigh by" and simply "outweigh"?

"Outweigh" means to be heavier or more significant. "Outweigh by" specifies the degree or extent to which one thing exceeds another. For example, "The benefits outweigh the risks" vs. "The benefits outweigh the risks by a significant amount."