whereby

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whereby" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the means or method by which something is done or achieved. Example: "The committee established a new policy whereby all members must submit their reports by the end of the month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The facts of the actual strike are jettisoned in favour of a ticking-clock climax whereby Scargill/Pacino must race to parliament on a motorbike and make a tear-jerking speech before the miners blow up Sellafield.

The Guardian - Film

There's not a system whereby they go, "You've done that, here have this bag of success".

The Guardian

The current degree classification model, whereby students are awarded a first, 2 1, 2 2, or a third degree, has been labelled by critics as "not fit for purpose".

The Guardian

We condemn the current distribution of economic resources whereby only a tiny minority escape poverty and insecurity, and future generations are condemned to a poisoned legacy thanks to the environmental crimes of the rich and powerful.

The Guardian - Opinion

By now a coalition choreography has emerged, whereby Lib Dem ministers protest in public (they must do so more often in private), their backbenchers take their cue – as do rightwing Tory MPs and activists who think Cameron is a soggy pinko – and battle is engaged.

The Guardian

The committee calls for a "yellow card" approach whereby claimants who breach rules for trivial or unintended infringements receive "pre-sanction written warnings" rather than having payments stopped.

The Guardian

But he also blamed "a process of normalisation, whereby antisemitism is being made somehow acceptable".

The Guardian

Harvest, his latest novel, dramatises one of the great under-told narratives of English history: the forced enclosure of open fields and common land from the late medieval era on, whereby subsistence agriculture was replaced by profitable wool production and the peasant farmers dispossessed and displaced.

The Guardian - Books

Or is there an underlying evolutionary drive whereby sex outside a relationship could potentially give you more offspring if you are a man, or better-quality children if you're a woman?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He's less phlegmatic about the rise of sub-agency deals, whereby one agency sell his pictures to another, and who sell to another, vastly reducing the photographer's initial cut (50% at best).

The Guardian

Such parental advice sits uneasily with the notion of undoing past wrongs that lies at the heart of transitional justice, whereby nations move from committing gross and systematic human rights violations to democracy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "whereby" to clearly establish a relationship of cause and effect, or to define the method by which an action is carried out. It's especially useful when explaining processes or systems.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "whereby" can sometimes sound overly formal or stilted. Consider using simpler alternatives like "by which" or "through which" in less formal contexts.

How to use

Learn how to use "whereby" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

"Whereby" functions as a relative adverb, connecting a clause to a preceding noun or noun phrase and indicating the means or method by which something is accomplished. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "whereby" is a relative adverb used to express the means or method by which something is done. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in formal and professional contexts, particularly in news and media. While it effectively establishes clear relationships, it can sound overly formal, so consider using simpler alternatives like "by which" in less formal situations. Remember, "whereby" serves to clarify procedures and causal links, making it a valuable tool in precise and formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by which

More common and less formal. Generally interchangeable.

through which

Emphasizes the process or means.

in which

Focuses on the context or situation.

by means of which

More formal and emphatic.

by way of

Indicates a method or route.

through the use of

Highlights the tool or instrument used.

as a result of which

Emphasizes the consequence or outcome.

in consequence of which

More formal way of saying “as a result of which”.

by virtue of which

Indicates a legal or formal basis.

according to which

Highlights an underlying rule or principle.

FAQs

How is "whereby" used in a sentence?

"Whereby" is used to indicate the method or process by which something is done or achieved. For example, "The company implemented a new system "whereby" all employees submit their reports online".

What are some alternatives to "whereby"?

Alternatives to "whereby" include "by which", "through which", or "in which". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "whereby" or "by which"?

"Whereby" and "by which" are often interchangeable, but "whereby" is generally considered more formal. Use "by which" in everyday writing and reserve "whereby" for formal or legal contexts.

Can "whereby" introduce a clause?

Yes, "whereby" can introduce a clause that explains how something is accomplished. For example, "They established a procedure "whereby" all transactions are reviewed by two managers".