A1preposition high_frequency_chunk

By

🇬🇧 UK /["/baɪ/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/baɪ/"]/

Meaning of By

used for showing how or in what way something is done

In simple words: near or beside something

By in a sentence

• The book was written by a famous author.
• I walked by the store on my way home.
• She sat down by the window to read.
• The painting was created by a local artist.
• He passed by me without saying hello.
• The project was completed by the team ahead of schedule.

How to use By

Used to indicate location, proximity, or the means of doing something. Often used in expressions of time, such as 'by Monday'. Avoid in formal writing when a more specific term can be used.

Grammar pattern

preposition + object

Memory hint

Remember 'by' as in 'by the side' — picturing something sitting next to another.

Related words

Collocations with By

• by the way
• by chance
• by bus

Synonyms for By

• near
• beside
• next to

Opposites of By

• away from
• against

Common mistakes with By

• Confused with 'beside' — 'by' indicates proximity, 'beside' indicates being directly next to.
• Using 'by' to mean 'with' in contexts like 'by giving' instead of 'by using' or 'by means of'.

Frequently asked questions about By

What does By mean?

near or beside something

What is the definition of By?

used for showing how or in what way something is done

How do you use By in a sentence?

The book was written by a famous author.

Can you give another example of By?

I walked by the store on my way home.

What are synonyms for By?

Common alternatives include near, beside, next to.

What is the opposite of By?

Opposite meanings include away from, against.

What words go with By?

It commonly pairs with by the way, by chance, by bus.

What are common mistakes when using By?

Confused with 'beside' — 'by' indicates proximity, 'beside' indicates being directly next to. Using 'by' to mean 'with' in contexts like 'by giving' instead of 'by using' or 'by means of'.

How do you pronounce By?

US: /["/baɪ/"]/, UK: /["/baɪ/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use By?

Used to indicate location, proximity, or the means of doing something. Often used in expressions of time, such as 'by Monday'. Avoid in formal writing when a more specific term can be used.

What CEFR level is By?

"By" is at A1 level on the CEFR scale.