refined by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refined by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been improved or made more sophisticated through a process or influence. Example: "The final product was refined by the feedback received during the testing phase."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These groups were refined by Galen and later by Avicenna.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Her vision for Borobi was refined by professional designers and animation specialists.

The Guardian - Sport

The strategy was refined by Conservation International, an influential private group in Washington.

The New York Times - Science

More to the point, their marriage had been refined by the art of work.

The New Yorker

Then it was refined by Tony Rice, whose guitar belonged to White.

The New Yorker

Every prototype cut by a machine had to be refined by hand.

The New York Times - Sports

The plan, to be refined by the City Planning Department, seems popular.

The New York Times

Mr. Botvinnik had a scientific approach refined by study of his opponents' psychology.

The New York Times

The idea has been refined by Tara Calishain, author of the online newsletter ResearchBuzz (researchbuzz.com).

The New York Times - Tech

Often, for good measure, the distillate is further refined by leaching through charcoal.

The New Yorker

The technique was originally refined by the French, Mr. Neff said.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "refined by", ensure that the agent or process doing the refining is clearly identified to provide a complete and understandable description.

Common error

Avoid using "refined by" for simple improvements that don't involve a complex or deliberate process. Opt for simpler terms like "improved by" or "enhanced by" in those cases. For example, don't say, "The recipe was refined by adding salt," but rather, "The recipe was improved by adding salt."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refined by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject has undergone a process of improvement or precision. As Ludwig AI shows, it's commonly used to describe how something has been modified or enhanced.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "refined by" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that signifies improvement through a deliberate process. As indicated by Ludwig, it appears across various contexts, including science, news, and encyclopedias, with a neutral to formal register. While versatile, it's best employed when describing a complex or precise improvement. Remember to avoid overusing it in simple scenarios where more straightforward alternatives like "improved by" suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

improved by

General term for betterment, but "refined by" indicates a more specific and careful process.

redesigned by

Focuses specifically on the act of design being improved, instead of a more general refinement.

furthered by

Highlights the progression or advancement caused by something, not necessarily a refinement.

streamlined by

Emphasizes efficiency and simplification, whereas "refined by" can include broader improvements.

reformulated by

Implies a change in the formulation or composition, instead of a more general improvement.

restructured by

Focuses on changes to the structure, rather than an overall improvement or refinement.

reorganized by

Focuses on changes to the organization, rather than an improvement in quality or precision.

branded by

Implies association or identification with a brand, rather than improvement through a process.

reinforced by

Implies strengthening or supporting, rather than refining or improving.

intensified by

Suggests an increase in strength or degree, not necessarily an improvement in quality or precision.

FAQs

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

You can use "refined by" to indicate that something has been improved or made more precise through a process. For example, "The initial design was "refined by" the engineering team".

What are some alternatives to "refined by"?

Alternatives to "refined by" include "improved by", "enhanced by", or "perfected by", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "refined by" or "improved by"?

"Refined by" implies a more delicate or precise process of improvement, whereas "improved by" is a more general term. Use "refined by" when the improvement involves careful adjustments and attention to detail. In cases where a simple amelioration is implied, "improved by" is better suited.

What's the difference between "refined by" and "influenced by"?

"Refined by" suggests a process of improvement, while "influenced by" indicates that something has been affected or shaped by something else. The former implies a positive change, while the latter is more neutral. If a process or thing was impacted or changed by a thing or process but not necessarily improved, "influenced by" should be used instead.