by
by
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "by" is /baɪ/.
/baɪ/
Word Form Variations
The word "by" primarily functions as a preposition or an adverb and does not typically have singular, plural, or different conjugations like verbs or nouns. It remains "by" in all its common uses.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Preposition
Definition 1: Indicating proximity or position near to something.
Synonyms: beside, alongside, near, next to
Antonyms: far from, away from
Definition 2: Indicating the means or method used to achieve something.
Synonyms: through, via, with, using
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it describes the means rather than the absence of means)
Definition 3: Indicating the agent performing an action in a passive voice construction.
Synonyms: (No direct synonyms; it's a grammatical function)
Antonyms: (Not applicable)
Definition 4: Indicating a specified time, or no later than a specified time.
Synonyms: before, no later than
Antonyms: after, later than
Adverb
Definition 1: Past; onward; to or at a nearby place.
Synonyms: past, onward, alongside
Antonyms: back, behind
Definition 2: In reserve; aside.
Synonyms: aside, in reserve, on hand
Antonyms: spent, used up
Examples of Use
Books:
"He stood by the window, watching the rain fall." (From "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald)
"The novel was written by an unknown author." (General usage describing authorship)
Newspapers:
"The new policy was approved by a unanimous vote in Parliament." (The Daily Nation)
"Traffic was disrupted by a fallen tree on the main road." (The Guardian)
Online Publications:
"Learn how to improve your sleep quality by making small changes to your routine." (Healthline.com)
"This article was funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation." (ScienceDaily.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Music: "Stand by Me" (Song title by Ben E. King)
Film: "The film was directed by Christopher Nolan." (IMDb.com, referring to Oppenheimer)
Television: "We'll send the details by email." (Dialogue from a TV show like Succession)
Video Games: "You can travel by fast travel points on the map." (In-game tutorial text from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom)
General Public Discourse:
"Could you stop by my office later?" (Common conversational request)
"I'll be there by 7 PM." (Common statement of time commitment)
"She learned to swim by watching tutorials online." (Describing a method of learning)
10 Quotes Using By
"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." (John F. Kennedy)
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." (Martin Luther King Jr.)
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." (Lao Tzu, often interpreted as 'one step by one step' or 'one step at a time')
"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough." (Mae West, implying living by certain principles)
"A picture is a poem without words." (Horace, implying a picture can convey meaning by itself)
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." (Eleanor Roosevelt, suggesting self-worth is determined by internal choice)
"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." (Ralph Waldo Emerson, suggesting success is achieved by being authentic)
"Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still." (Dorothea Lange)
"Success is achieved and maintained by those who try and keep trying." (W. Clement Stone)
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do." (Steve Jobs, implying greatness is achieved by passion)
Etymology
The word "by" has a long history, going back to the very early days of the English language.
Its roots can be traced back to Old English (before 1150 AD), where it appeared as "bī" or "be-". At this time, its primary meaning was "near" or "by the side of," indicating physical proximity.
This Old English word itself came from an even older language, Proto-Germanic (the ancestor of languages like English, German, and Dutch), where it was "bi", also meaning "near" or "around."
Going even further back, it's believed to have originated from a Proto-Indo-European root (a very ancient language from which many European and Indian languages descend) like "ambhi" or "bhi", which conveyed the idea of "around" or "on both sides."
So, you can see a clear path: from an ancient concept of being "around" or "near," to the Old English "bī" meaning "beside," and then evolving into the "by" we use today, with its many related meanings like means, agency, and time. Over time, the meaning expanded beyond just physical closeness to include how something is done, who did it, or when something happens.
Phrases + Idioms Containing By
By and large: Generally speaking; on the whole.
By the way: Incidentally; as a digression from the main topic.
By no means: Not at all; definitely not.
By heart: Learned completely and able to be recited from memory.
By hook or by crook: By any means necessary, legal or illegal.
By fits and starts: Irregularly; with frequent interruptions.
By a hair's breadth: By a very small margin.
By the book: According to rules or established procedures.
By choice: As a matter of personal preference or decision.
By chance: Accidentally; without planning.
One by one: Individually; sequentially.
Little by little: Gradually; slowly.
Stand by: To support someone or something; to be ready for use.
Get by: To manage to survive or live, often with difficulty.
Come by: To acquire something; to visit casually.
Day by day: As each day passes; progressively.
Side by side: Next to each other.
By popular demand: Because many people have asked for it.
By all accounts: According to what everyone says.
By word of mouth: Through spoken communication rather than written.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of by from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
