well by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "well by" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not commonly used and may lead to confusion without additional context. Example: "I hope you are doing well by the time you receive this message."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Well, by acting, presumably.

Independent

Well, by God, he was.

The New Yorker

Well, by golly, they've done it!

The New York Times

Companies do well by becoming Nigerian.

The Economist

This was something understood well by Thackeray.

The Economist

He'd do well by doing good.

The New York Times

"He's doing well by doing good".

The New York Times

It is doing well by any standard.

The Economist

NERD DO WELL, by Simon Pegg.

The New York Times

"And he meant well by it.

The New Yorker

Sharansky lives well by Israeli standards.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you intend to mean 'doing well', use more direct phrases like "doing well" or "succeeding" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "well by" in formal writing, as it is often seen as grammatically incorrect. Opt for clearer alternatives to ensure your message is easily understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well by" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often attempting to modify a verb or noun by indicating a standard or means of achieving success. However, according to Ludwig AI, the phrase is generally considered grammatically incorrect and requires careful contextualization.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "well by" is a phrase that, while occasionally found in various sources, is generally considered grammatically questionable. Ludwig AI indicates that it's often better to use clearer, more direct phrasing like "doing well" or specifying the standard by which something is measured. Its primary function is to express a comparative level of success or achievement, but its lack of precision makes it less suitable for formal contexts. Always consider more precise alternatives to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doing well according to

Specifies that success or achievement is measured against a particular benchmark or criteria.

prospering by

Indicates thriving or succeeding through a specific method or circumstance.

succeeding through

Implies achieving a favorable outcome via a particular means or strategy.

thriving due to

Highlights that growth and success are a result of a specific cause or influence.

doing nicely relative to

Expresses performing adequately compared to others or a standard.

living comfortably given

Suggests maintaining a good standard of living considering specific conditions.

achieving success considering

Conveys attaining a positive result when taking into account particular circumstances.

performing admirably within

Denotes acting excellently within certain constraints or boundaries.

excelling based on

Indicates surpassing expectations based on a particular foundation or metric.

living well considering

Implies maintaining a satisfactory life quality when taking certain factors into account.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "well by" in a sentence?

Replace "well by" with clearer alternatives like "doing well", "succeeding in", or "performing well", depending on the intended meaning.

What does it mean when someone says "well by"?

The meaning is unclear without context. It's often used to indicate achieving success within certain limits or standards, but more explicit phrasing is advisable.

Is "well by" grammatically correct?

Generally, no. Standard English prefers more direct and clear phrasing. While some instances exist, they are not considered grammatically sound.

What are some alternatives to "doing "doing well by""?

Consider options like "benefiting from", "gaining from", or "profiting from" to convey the idea of deriving advantages.