by means of sth
prep. phr..prep. phr.. using a specific method, tool, or process to achieve something.
prep. phr.. a formal prepositional phrase indicating the instrument, method, or agency through which an action is performed or a result is attained.
They escaped by means of a secret tunnel.
The researchers collected data by means of an anonymous online survey sent to three thousand participants.
The ancient civilization transported these massive stones across the desert by means of a sophisticated system of wooden rollers and pulleys.
highly formal and typically found in academic, technical, or legal writing rather than casual conversation.
encourage students to use 'by' or 'using' in speech, but to recognize 'by means of' as a marker of formal academic register.
by mean of a ropeby means of a ropethe word 'means' must be plural in this fixed phrase, even when referring to a single method.