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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
staring by
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE 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
Alternative expressions(2)
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
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
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.
News & Media
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
Several delegation leaders were reduced to shocked, staring silence by the forwardness of these tormentors..
News & Media
In the proposed mission scenario, the ground objects require a specified duration of staring imaging by the video satellite.
Science
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.
Science
On the way to the door, I locked eyes with a white kitten staring ominously by the window.
News & Media
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
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
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
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
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".
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.
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".
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
staring intently at
Replaces "by" with "intently at" to describe focused observation.
being stared at by
Emphasizes the passive experience of being the object of someone's gaze.
observed by looking
Describes observation as an action achieved through looking.
gazing directly at
Highlights the act of looking steadily and intently.
scrutinizing through sight
Describes a detailed and critical examination through visual means.
examining using vision
Focuses on using vision as a tool for a careful inspection.
watching due to
Emphasizes the causality of watching as triggered by a specific event.
viewing as a result of
Indicates viewing that occurs due to an outcome or consequence.
observing thanks to
Highlights the means by which observation is made possible.
looking because of
Describes looking that is motivated by a particular cause.
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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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
2.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested