Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
proprietary by
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "proprietary by" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe something that is owned or controlled by a specific entity, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The software is proprietary by the company, meaning it cannot be shared or modified without permission."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Formal & Business
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
8 human-written examples
Mr. Schwartz testified that Java's A.P.I.'s were not considered proprietary by Sun.
News & Media
Such financing amounts are often considered proprietary by the organizations and their directors, but critics contend that the industry's sway over such groups leads them to lobby on the industry's behalf.
News & Media
Such funding amounts are often considered proprietary by the organizations and their directors, but critics contend that the industry's sway over such groups leads them to lobby on industry's behalf.
News & Media
However, quite likely the MCPS will reinvent technology held as proprietary by some organization.
Science
Although such equipment is comparatively simple in concept, it is usually large and expensive, so that efficiencies and other aspects are considered proprietary by the small number of manufacturers in this field.
Some datasets are considered proprietary by those who collected them, and other datasets are not available in digital format.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
51 human-written examples
The libraries were quantified by ECO (Illumina, San Diego, USA) and sequenced using the Solexa's proprietary sequencing-by-synthesis method.
Science
Whole-genome sequencing was performed (CG) using their proprietary sequencing-by-ligation technology [ 10].
Science
The purified PCR products were subjected to Solexa's proprietary sequencing-by-synthesis method on the Illumina 1G Genome Analyzer.
Science
The PCR products resolved in a 12% TBE urea polyacrylamide gel were eluted with elution buffer, quantified and subjected to Solexa's proprietary sequencing-by-synthesis method.
Science
The cDNA was amplified with 18 PCR cycles to produce sequencing libraries that were subjected to Illumina/Solexa's proprietary sequencing-by-synthesis method.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Prefer clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives like "owned by", "controlled by", or "exclusive to" to enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity.
Common error
Avoid using "proprietary by" when you actually mean "developed by" or "created by". "Proprietary" refers to ownership and exclusive rights, not necessarily the origin or creator.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "proprietary by" aims to indicate ownership or control, but its grammatical structure is not standard. The intended function is to specify who owns or controls a particular item, process, or piece of information. According to Ludwig AI, this is an incorrect grammar.
Frequent in
Science
40%
News & Media
40%
Formal & Business
20%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "proprietary by" intends to convey ownership or control but suffers from grammatical issues. Ludwig AI recognizes this as an incorrect grammar. Although it appears in various sources including news, science, and business contexts, clearer alternatives such as "owned by" or "controlled by" are recommended for better clarity and grammatical correctness. Despite its occurrence, favoring more precise language will improve your writing and avoid potential confusion.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
owned by
Directly indicates ownership, replacing the less clear "proprietary by".
controlled by
Highlights control rather than just ownership; suitable when emphasizing authority.
exclusive to
Emphasizes exclusivity, indicating that something is only available or used by a specific entity.
copyrighted by
Specifies that the content is protected by copyright law and owned by someone.
patented by
Indicates that something is protected by a patent and the rights belong to the patent holder.
trademarked by
Highlights that a brand name or logo is protected by trademark and associated with a specific owner.
held by
Indicates possession, which can imply ownership or control.
developed by
Focuses on the creator or developer, implying ownership or proprietary rights.
managed by
Emphasizes the management aspect, indicating who is in charge and has control.
operated by
Indicates who is running or operating something, suggesting a degree of control and possibly ownership.
FAQs
What's a clearer alternative to "proprietary by"?
Alternatives such as "owned by", "controlled by", or "exclusive to" offer more precise and grammatically sound ways to express the intended meaning.
When is it appropriate to use the term 'proprietary'?
The term 'proprietary' is appropriate when indicating that something is exclusively owned and legally protected by an individual or organization, often referring to intellectual property or trade secrets.
Is "proprietary by" considered grammatically correct in formal writing?
No, "proprietary by" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Using phrases like "owned by" or "controlled by" is preferable in formal writing.
How does using "proprietary by" affect the clarity of my writing?
Using "proprietary by" can introduce ambiguity and reduce clarity. Opting for more direct and widely accepted alternatives ensures that your intended meaning is easily understood by your audience.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested