useful by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "useful by" is not grammatically correct and is not commonly used in written English.
It is possible that someone could use it in spoken English, but it would not typically be considered correct or standard grammar. Instead, a more appropriate phrase would be "useful for" or "useful in." For example: - "This tool is useful for fixing small electronics." - "The new software is useful in streamlining our work processes." In rare cases, "useful by" could be used to mean that someone or something is of use or benefit to someone else. However, it would be more natural to use active voice and say "useful to" instead. For example: - "His knowledge of technology is useful to his team." - "The donation was useful to the local community center."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Decide whether or not keeping the brush is useful by the end use you're seeking.

WikiHow

The system was frequently used in all its parts and considered useful by the bus drivers.

European Transport Research Review

She makes her own assistants useful by picking their brains.

The New York Times - Style

What the heck is with all of these ancient players staying useful by hitting threes?

The Guardian - Sport

"But you feel every day that you're doing something really useful by stopping the CO2 emissions.

The Guardian

Can Joe prove he's useful by answering the door when the police turn up?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

This museum's store sells contemporary objects, both decorative and useful, by artists from around the world.

The New York Times

Edsel's getting quite old enough to make himself useful by running small errands.

The New Yorker

Such changes, common with new leadership in many fields, often prove socially useful by taking advantage of new opportunities.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

There are also useful by-products such as a nationally accessible database for researchers.

The Economist

Beyond the production of clean power, the OTEC process also provides several useful by-products.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the usefulness of something, prefer using "useful for" or "useful to" as they are grammatically correct and widely accepted. For example, instead of "useful by this method", try "useful for this method".

Common error

Avoid using "by" to indicate the purpose or recipient of usefulness. The construction "useful by" is often grammatically incorrect; instead, use "for" or "to" to clarify the relationship. For example, don't say "This tool is useful by students"; say "This tool is useful for students".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "useful by" functions as an adjective phrase, but is often grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI highlights, constructions like "useful for" or "useful to" are typically more appropriate and grammatically sound. The intended function is to describe something that provides a benefit or serves a purpose.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "useful by" appears frequently across various sources, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI recommends using "useful for" or "useful to" as better alternatives. These options provide grammatical accuracy and clarity, avoiding potential misinterpretations. Despite its occurrence in news, scientific articles, and general web content, prioritizing correct grammar enhances the credibility and professionalism of your writing. Always consider the context and choose the most precise and grammatically sound option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

useful for

Replaces 'by' with 'for', correcting the grammatical structure to indicate purpose or suitability.

useful to

Substitutes 'by' with 'to', indicating benefit or service provided to someone or something.

helpful by

Replace with an alternative adjective but it still has the same grammatical issues of the original phrase.

effective through

Indicates a means or mechanism through which effectiveness is achieved.

beneficial via

Uses 'via' to specify a method or pathway through which benefits are realized.

valuable because of

Highlights the reason or cause that makes something valuable.

advantageous through

Specifies how something becomes advantageous by using 'through'.

practical due to

Shows that practicality stems from a particular reason or condition.

instrumental in

Indicates a key role in achieving a particular outcome.

serviceable via

This alternative shows that something is serviceable through a particular means.

FAQs

What's a grammatically correct alternative to "useful by"?

The phrases "useful for" and "useful to" are generally preferred over "useful by" because they follow standard English grammar rules.

Is "useful by" ever considered correct?

While "useful by" appears in some contexts, it's often considered grammatically incorrect. It's safer to use "useful for" or "useful to" to ensure clarity and correctness.

How can I use "useful for" in a sentence?

You can use "useful for" to indicate the purpose or function of something. For example, "This app is useful for managing your tasks".

What does "useful to" mean?

"Useful to" indicates that something provides a benefit or service to someone or something. For instance, "This information is useful to researchers".