the tale by which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the tale by which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a story or narrative that serves as a means to convey a particular message or lesson. Example: "The tale by which the villagers learned the importance of unity has been passed down for generations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

That's the tale by which we want to be spellbound.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I'm not sure why, but I was immensely comforted — not by the tale itself, which of course was devastating, but, I suppose, by the trust, empathy, and vulnerability that flowed from the teller.

The New Yorker

His statements did not put an end to the tale, in which a movie by a major Hollywood celebrity has become the unlikely focus of chatter in a society that often occupies itself with less ephemeral concerns.

The New York Times

What fascinates me about the fragmentary recounting of the tale is the process by which Dylan and his collaborators produced a secret body of work that was injected into the cultural dialog not in opposition to but alternatively to the high production of the Beatles Sgtt. Pepper.

TechCrunch

That work was inspired by the popularity of denim in Taiwan and by the tale "Three Knives," which, a label explains, refers to the tools of three major trades adopted by Taiwanese immigrants: the barber's knife, the tailor's scissors and the chef's knife.

The New York Times - Arts

This literalism is echoed by their treatment of the tale, which is surprisingly straightforward: Beauty, at first horrified by the Beast, finally becomes aware that she truly loves him.

The New York Times - Arts

He prefers to translate the tale, which originates in a novel by Michael Morpurgo, into a fully cinematic idiom.

The New York Times

This piece was drawn from "The Shadow in the Garden: A Biographer's Tale," by James Atlas, which is out August 22nd, from Pantheon.

The New Yorker

As human culture evolved, folk tales were the means by which our ancestors hoped to help their descendants to catch the woolly mammoth, escape the dark forest, and live happily ever after.

The Guardian

Highlights include the world premiere of a new opera by Ryan Wigglesworth, a version of Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale, which will be directed by the actor Rory Kinnear making his directorial debut.

The Guardian - Music

Surgery dramatised, romanticised, mysticised is the medium through which the tale is borne along, by which the characters find or lose each other, understand themselves, are rendered whole or apart.At the novel's heart beats Mr Verghese's joy of medicine: his exultation in the poetry of its Latin phraseology, the arcane imagery based on resemblances between pathology and food.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the tale by which" when you want to emphasize that a story or narrative is the specific means through which a particular outcome, understanding, or transformation is achieved. It adds a touch of formality and weight to the narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "the tale by which" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound stilted or pretentious in contexts where simpler phrasing would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the tale by which" functions as an introductory element to a relative clause, specifying the narrative or story that serves as the instrument or means for achieving a particular outcome or understanding. It is a more formal way of introducing a story's significance, as evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the tale by which" is a grammatically correct, though somewhat rare, phrase used to introduce a narrative that serves as a specific means to an end. Ludwig confirms its validity. Its formal tone makes it best suited for formal writing and news contexts. Alternative phrasing includes "the story through which" or "the narrative by means of which". While it's a valid phrase, its formality should be considered to avoid sounding stilted in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the story through which

Replaces "tale" with "story", a more common synonym, maintaining the same grammatical structure.

the narrative by means of which

Substitutes "tale" with "narrative" and simplifies the prepositional phrase, increasing formality.

the legend by which

Replaces "tale" with "legend", implying a story of historical or mythical significance.

the account through which

Substitutes "tale" with "account", suggesting a more factual or descriptive narrative.

the fable by which

Replaces "tale" with "fable", implying a story with a moral lesson.

the myth by which

Substitutes "tale" with "myth", suggesting a traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining some natural or social phenomenon.

the yarn by which

Replaces "tale" with "yarn", indicating a long, often exaggerated story.

the chronicle by which

Replaces "tale" with "chronicle", implying a record of events in order of time.

the allegory by which

Substitutes "tale" with "allegory", suggesting a story with a hidden meaning.

the anecdote by which

Replaces "tale" with "anecdote", indicating a short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.

FAQs

How can I use "the tale by which" in a sentence?

Use "the tale by which" to introduce a narrative that serves as the instrument or method through which something is achieved or understood. For example: "The quest is "the tale by which" the hero discovers his true potential".

What does "the tale by which" mean?

It refers to a story or narrative that acts as a means or instrument to achieve a certain end or understanding. It emphasizes the story's role as a vehicle for conveying a specific message or lesson.

What can I say instead of "the tale by which"?

You can use alternatives like "the story through which", "the narrative by means of which", or "the legend by which" depending on the context.

Is "the tale by which" grammatically correct?

Yes, "the tale by which" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure and is used to introduce a relative clause specifying the means by which something occurs.