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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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solved by

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "solved by" is correct and is used commonly in written English.
For example, "The mystery was solved by the detective."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Crime solved by Googling).

News & Media

The New Yorker

Therefore, they can be solved by man.

News & Media

The New York Times

It will be solved by psychologists".

News & Media

The New Yorker

Police violence can't be solved by tech.

This problem can only be solved by effective energy storage.

News & Media

The Guardian

Many drug addiction problems could be solved by treatment.

A scientific problem ought to be solved by data.

As Diogenes said, solvitur ambulando (it is solved by walking).

The guard situation could be solved by free agency.

The case has still not been solved by Irish police.

"That has been solved by ubiquitous Internet access".

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "solved by" to clearly indicate the agent or method responsible for resolving a problem or situation. It is particularly useful in technical or formal writing where precision is important.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive constructions like "solved by" if it obscures the actor or makes the sentence unnecessarily wordy. In some contexts, active voice may be more direct and impactful.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "solved by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating the agent or method that resolves a problem. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use. It connects the problem to its solution, as seen in examples like "The case was solved by HCDFA."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "solved by" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate the agent or method that resolves an issue. As Ludwig AI confirms, its frequent use spans across varied contexts, particularly in science and news media. When writing, it's important to be mindful of passive voice overuse and opt for active voice when a more direct or impactful statement is needed. Alternatives like "resolved through" or "addressed via" can emphasize the method of resolution. The phrase's formality ranges from neutral to formal, making it suitable for professional and academic writing where clarity and attribution are key.

FAQs

How can I rephrase a sentence using "solved by" to be more active?

Instead of saying "The problem was solved by the team", you could say "The team "solved" the problem". This makes the sentence more direct and emphasizes the team's action.

What are some alternatives to "solved by" that emphasize the method rather than the agent?

Phrases like "resolved through", "addressed via", or "fixed through" can highlight the process or means of resolution, rather than who or what did the solving.

Is it always necessary to specify who or what "solved" a problem?

No, sometimes the agent is unimportant or obvious from the context. In such cases, you can simply say "The problem was "solved"".

How does "solved by" differ from "caused by" in terms of sentence structure?

"Solved by" indicates the agent that resolved a problem, while "caused by" indicates the agent that originated it. Both follow a similar passive construction, but have opposite meanings in terms of causality.

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Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: