they ate by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they ate by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the manner or method in which someone consumed food, often indicating a specific location or context. Example: "They ate by the riverbank, enjoying the peaceful sound of the water."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

They ate by the river.

The New Yorker

He also denounced Bihari MPs, saying they were "spitting in the same plate from which they ate" by criticising Mumbaikars and Maharashtrians.

Wikipedia

With bottomless bowls, people eat 73% more calories than those with normal bowls and underestimate how many calories they ate by 140 calories.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

They eat by detaching grasses, leaves, and fruit with the end of the trunk and using it to place this vegetation into the mouth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Today, people are showing the world what they eat by photographing every meal, revealing themselves perhaps more vividly than they might by merely reciting the names of appetizers and entrees.

The New York Times - Food

To get to healthy levels, US citizens would need to cut the meat they eat by two-thirds, those in the UK by a half and those in China by a third.

The Guardian

They eat by holding the fish in one claw and tearing the flesh with the other.

Wikipedia

People with anorexia may compensate for food they eat by exercising.

WikiHow

Studies have found that people who keep track of what they eat by writing it down lose more weight, and keep it off, than those who don't.

WikiHow

Studies have shown that people who keep track of the food they eat by writing it down tend to lose weight faster, and keep it off, than those who don't.

WikiHow

"My mom told me by cellphone that they ate turkey by candlelight last night," Carlos said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they ate by" when you want to specify the place or context in which people consumed a meal. For example, "They ate by the campfire", indicating the location of the meal.

Common error

Avoid using "they ate at" or "they ate in" when "they ate by" is more appropriate. "By" specifies the proximity or location in relation to something, not necessarily inside or directly at a place. Instead of saying "They ate at the river", specify the action "They ate by the river".

Linguistic Context

They ate by functions as a phrase indicating the location or manner in which a group of people consumed food. The verb "ate" signifies the action of consuming food, while the preposition "by" specifies the proximity or location relative to something else, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they ate by" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes the act of eating in relation to a specific location or context. Ludwig confirms its correctness. It is found in a variety of sources, including news media, encyclopedias, and wikis, with a neutral register suitable for diverse applications. While not extremely common, the phrase serves the distinct purpose of providing spatial context to a dining experience, painting a more vivid picture for the reader or listener.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they ate beside

Replaces "by" with "beside", offering a slightly different nuance regarding location.

they dined near

Replaces "ate" with the more formal "dined" and "by" with "near", emphasizing proximity.

they had a meal by

Substitutes "ate" with "had a meal", adding a bit more formality while keeping "by" to indicate location.

they picnicked by

Suggests an outdoor meal, specifically a picnic, retaining "by" to show the location.

they shared a meal at

Focuses on the communal aspect of eating, replacing "ate" with "shared a meal" and "by" with "at".

they broke bread by

Implies sharing a meal, often in a symbolic or friendly way, while "by" still signifies the location.

they consumed food at

Uses more formal vocabulary, replacing "ate" with "consumed food" and "by" with "at".

they supped by

Replaces "ate" with the archaic term "supped", implying a simple or rustic meal.

they grabbed a bite near

Emphasizes a quick meal, replacing "ate" with "grabbed a bite" and "by" with "near".

they took their repast by

Employs a highly formal and somewhat antiquated tone with "took their repast" instead of "ate".

FAQs

What does "they ate by" mean?

The phrase "they ate by" means that people consumed food in proximity to or near a specific location or feature. For example, "They ate by the lake" suggests they had their meal close to the lake.

Is "they ate by" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they ate by" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules and is used to describe the location or setting of a meal.

What can I say instead of "they ate by"?

You can use alternatives like "they dined near", "they had a meal beside", or "they picnicked by" depending on the context. These alternatives provide similar meaning while using different phrasing.

How can "they ate by" be used in a sentence?

The phrase "they ate by" can be used to specify where a meal took place. For instance, "They ate by the candlelight last night", or "they ate beside the river while enjoying the view.