Differences between get by on and get by with

The main difference between get by on and get by with is the preposition used. Get by on means to manage or survive with the minimum necessary resources, while get by with means to manage or survive with the help of something or someone.

Meanings and Definitions: get by on vs get by with

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Get by on

1Manage on a certain amount of money.
It's hard to GET BY ON my salary.

Get by with

1Have enough of something to do the job.
We should be able to GET BY WITH three PCs, but four would be better.

Usage Examples: get by on, get by with in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

get by on

Example

I can get by on a small budget while traveling.

Example

She gets by on her part-time job income.

get by with

Example

We can get by with the food we have in the pantry.

Example

She gets by with her old car, but she would like a new one.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Get by on

make do

To manage or survive with what is available, even if it's not ideal.

Example

After losing his job, he had to make do with part-time work and a tight budget.

scrape by

To barely manage or survive with very little money or resources.

Example

As a student, she had to scrape by with a part-time job and loans to pay for her tuition.

survive on

To manage or live with only a specific amount of money or resources.

Example

As a freelancer, he had to survive on irregular income and careful budgeting.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Get by with

rely on

To depend on someone or something for support or help.

Example

She had to rely on her friends to help her move to a new apartment.

make use of

To use something effectively or efficiently to achieve a goal or solve a problem.

Example

He had to make use of his network to find a job after being laid off.

get assistance from

To receive help or support from someone or an organization.

Example

She had to get assistance from a charity to pay for her medical bills.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “get”

Differences in get by on vs get by with: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: get by on or get by with?

Both phrases are commonly used in everyday conversation, but get by with is more frequently used than get by on. This is because get by with implies that you have some help or support, which is more common in daily life than managing with the bare minimum.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of get by on and get by with

Both get by on and get by with are informal phrases suitable for casual conversations. However, in more formal settings, it's better to use alternative expressions to convey a more professional tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of get by on and get by with

The tone of get by on and get by with can differ based on context. Get by on often carries a tone of struggle or hardship, while get by with typically has a tone of gratitude or appreciation for the help received.

get by on & get by with: Synonyms and Antonyms

Get by on

Synonyms

Antonyms

Get by with

Synonyms

manage with
make do with
cope with
survive with
suffice with

Antonyms

insufficient
lack
need more
require more