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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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staring by

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "staring by" is not correct in written English.
It seems to be a typographical error or a misphrasing of "starting by." Example: "Starting by outlining the main points will help us stay organized during the discussion."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Staring by turn at Sarju and at his guests, the man splits the twig down the middle and gives his tongue a good scrape with its green inner parts.

News & Media

The Economist

He looked hard at the stranger, and spat on the floor as if he had seen a toad; then glanced at the newspaper, then again at the intruder, and spat again, his hair bristling gradually into more shaggy ferocity, till he closed the alternation of spitting and staring, by fairly exclaiming, 'What a scoundrelly phiz!' and rushing out of the room.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

By pretending not to notice their injuries, by staring, or by looking away in embarrassment, you perpetuate the abuse they are already receiving at home.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Several delegation leaders were reduced to shocked, staring silence by the forwardness of these tormentors..

News & Media

The New Yorker

In the proposed mission scenario, the ground objects require a specified duration of staring imaging by the video satellite.

Based on the constraints of the observation time windows, satellite attitude adjustment time, and satellite maneuverability, a constraint satisfaction mission planning model is established for ground object staring imaging by a single video satellite.

On the way to the door, I locked eyes with a white kitten staring ominously by the window.

News & Media

Vice

You're astonished that you could have ever missed such a major change, especially when you've been staring mesmerized by this tableau for 20 minutes.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Typically, the neighborhood youths stand on corners and intersections, or in front of the shops, talking, joking or just staring at passers-by.

News & Media

The New York Times

Their deadly talents supposedly include the ability to kill a goat via psychokinesis--by staring at the beast they can make its heart stop with thought alone.

Science & Research

Science Magazine

SF: I was never aroused by Clones, by muscle vests, by disco or dance music, by staring eyes and forbidding glances; made me very unhappy & scared.

News & Media

Huffington Post
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "staring by" as it's grammatically incorrect. Instead, use phrases like "staring at", "being stared at by", or other alternatives that accurately convey the intended meaning.

Common error

A common mistake is to pair "staring" with the wrong preposition. Remember that "staring" typically requires "at" to indicate the object being looked at. For instance, prefer "staring at the sunset" over "staring by the sunset".

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

2.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "staring by" functions incorrectly as a prepositional phrase. It attempts to connect the action of staring with a means or cause, but violates standard English grammar rules, as noted by Ludwig. A more correct preposition would be "at", "into", or "because of", depending on the intended meaning.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "staring by" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI notes that this phrase likely results from a typographical error or misphrasing. While it appears in contexts such as news and science, it is recommended to use grammatically correct alternatives like "staring at", "being stared at by", or other similar phrases to ensure clarity and correctness. Pay attention to the intended meaning and context to choose the most appropriate preposition and avoid common errors related to prepositions used with "staring".

FAQs

What is the correct preposition to use with "staring"?

The correct preposition to use with "staring" is typically "at", as in "staring at the stars". Other prepositions might be appropriate depending on the context, such as "being stared at by" someone.

How can I rephrase a sentence using "staring by" to be grammatically correct?

Replace "staring by" with a more appropriate phrase like "staring at", "being stared at by", or "observed by looking", depending on the intended meaning.

Is "staring by" ever considered correct in English?

No, "staring by" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Alternative phrasing is needed to convey the intended meaning clearly and correctly.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "staring by"?

Consider alternatives such as "gazing directly at", "scrutinizing through sight", or simply "staring intently at", depending on the context and intended nuance.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

2.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: