by*/*/*/

[baɪ]

grammar word summary: By can be: ■ a preposition: The building was destroyed by fire. ■ an adverb: As time went by, things improved.

1) stating who or what does sth used for stating who does or makes something, or what causes something

She was helped by her friends.[/ex]

Children are fascinated by magic.[/ex]

damage caused by the storm[/ex]

a painting by Goya[/ex]

2) stating how sth is done using a particular method or in a particular way

Reading is taught by traditional methods here.[/ex]

We decided to go by car.[/ex]

They exchanged New Year's greetings by email.[/ex]

Every bit of lace is made by hand (= not using a machine).[/ex]

We met completely by chance.[/ex]

By using the Internet you can do your shopping from home.[/ex]

3) before not later than a particular time or date

The meeting should have finished by 4.30.[/ex]

Application forms must be received by 31st March.[/ex]

By the time I arrived, everyone had left.[/ex]

4) past moving past someone or something

She walked right by me without saying a word.[/ex]

A police car drove by.[/ex]

5) saying that time passes used for saying that time passes, or how it passes

As time went by, people's attitudes changed.[/ex]

The days seem to fly by.[/ex]

6) stating changes or differences used for stating how large a change or difference is

House prices rose by 23% last year.[/ex]

Owen broke the world record by 2.4 seconds.[/ex]

7) in calculations and measurements used for stating what numbers or units are involved in calculations and measurements

I am paid by the hour.[/ex]

To convert gallons to litres multiply by 4.54.[/ex]

a 10 by 15 cm photograph[/ex]

8) beside beside or close to someone or something

She was sitting over there by the window.[/ex]

9) according to rules according to rules, laws, or standards

By law, the hospital must treat patients whether or not they can pay.[/ex]

You can't judge children and adults by the same standard.[/ex]

10) used for stating how you hold sb/sth used for saying which part you take in your hand when you hold someone or something

She took me by the hand.[/ex]

Always pick up a CD by the outer edge.[/ex]

11) gradually used when saying that something happens gradually in small units

Little by little Philip got more confident.[/ex]

His condition is improving day by day.[/ex]

One by one the men were given their medals.[/ex]

12) visiting a place used for saying that someone stops somewhere for a short time

Why don't you stop by on your way home from work?[/ex]

•

(all) by yourself/itself/himself etc — 1) alone[/ex]

I want to be by myself for a while.[/ex]

— 2) without being helped by anyone else

You can't carry that big table all by yourself.[/ex]

by and large — used for saying that something is generally true[/ex]

By and large I think you're right.[/ex]

by night/day — during the night/day[/ex]

We travelled by night to avoid the heat.[/ex]

by the way — used for introducing a new or extra fact or comment into a conversation[/ex]

By the way, I'll be late home tonight.[/ex]

by the way — spoken used for adding a remark that is not relevant to the main subject of your conversation[/ex]

By the way, Jeff called this afternoon.[/ex]