By is a versatile preposition which can be used in a number of situations. Today we take a look at some of its basic uses:
We use by to show how something is done:
We send a postcard or a letter by post.
We contact someone by phone or by email.
We pay for something by credit card or by cash.
Something happens by mistake, by accident or by chance.
We use by to show how someone travels:
They came by car/ by taxi/ by train/ by plane.
Note: do not use ‘the’, ‘my’ or ‘a’ when you use ‘by’. Instead use:
'On the plane.'
'In my car.'
'On a boat.’
We can also use by with –ing to show how something happened:
‘She passed her test by studying hard.’
‘I got into the house by using my key.’
In passive sentences we use by to show who or what did an action:
‘This was painted by Picasso.’
‘This house was built by my grandfather.’
‘I was invited by Sarah.’
By can be used after the following adjectives:
‘We were surprised by the news.’
‘I was shocked by his death.’
‘She was astonished by his request’.
Note: ‘at’ can also be used in the above sentences.
‘They were impressed by my exam result.’ (‘with’ can also be used)
By is also used to mean ‘next to’ or ‘beside’.
‘My dog came and sat by me.’
Take a look at this other use of by:
‘He is older than me by 3 years.’
‘We sell tomatoes by the kilo.’
In the following situations by means ‘on’ or ‘before’:
‘Give me your homework by Friday.’
‘The boy must be in bed by 9 o’clock.’
By can be used with:
myself/yourself/himself/herself/ourselves/yourselves/themselves
These all show someone or something being alone:
‘I stayed at home by myself and read the newspaper.’
‘The cat opened the door by himself.’
Now that you are an expert on using ‘by’, try the quiz below! Bye-Bye!
Use the following words to complete the sentences:
train / a snake / mistake / herself / Monday / Beethoven / English ability / cash / seconds / thousands
