by Definition
- 1used to show the person or thing that does something
- 2used to show the method or tool used to do something
- 3used to show the amount or number that is multiplied or divided into another number
Using by: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "by" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The book was written by a famous author.
Example
She painted the picture by using watercolors.
Example
Multiply 5 by 10 to get 50.
Example
Divide 100 by 4 to get 25.
by Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with by
Example
By and by, the sun began to set and the sky turned orange.
Example
By the way, did you hear about the new restaurant that just opened?
Example
She knows all the lyrics to the song by heart.
Summary: by in Brief
The preposition 'by' [baɪ] is used to indicate the agent or instrument of an action, as in 'The book was written by a famous author,' or 'She painted the picture by using watercolors.' It can also be used to indicate multiplication or division, as in 'Multiply 5 by 10 to get 50,' or 'Divide 100 by 4 to get 25.' Other common phrases include 'by and by,' meaning 'soon,' 'by the way,' meaning 'incidentally,' and 'by heart,' meaning 'from memory.'