# by

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/by
Updated: 2026-07-09

## Senses

### 1. the person who did it

preposition · CEFR A1

used to show the person or thing that does an action.

For teachers: indicates the agent in a passive construction or the person responsible for a creative work.

- The cake was made by my sister for my birthday party.
- The mural was commissioned by the city council to celebrate the diverse heritage of the local community.

Usage: Commonly used after a passive verb (be + past participle).

### 2. near or next to

preposition · CEFR A1

beside, next to, or very close to something.

For teachers: indicates proximity or location immediately adjacent to an object.

- We sat by the window to watch the rain outside.
- The hikers decided to set up camp by the river, ensuring they had easy access to fresh water for the night.

### 3. not later than

preposition · CEFR A2

at or before a specific time.

For teachers: indicates a deadline or a point in time before which an action must be completed.

- Please make sure you submit your homework by tomorrow morning.
- The contractor promised that the renovations would be finished by the end of the month, barring any unforeseen structural issues.

Usage: Usually followed by a specific time, day, or date.

### 4. how something is done

preposition · CEFR A1

used to show the method or way of doing something.

For teachers: indicates the means, medium, or manner through which an objective is achieved.

- You can turn on the light by pressing that small button.
- The research team gathered the necessary data by conducting extensive interviews with residents across three different provinces.

Usage: Often followed by a gerund (-ing form) or a noun without an article (e.g., 'by car').

### 5. amount of change or size

preposition · CEFR B1

used to show a measurement, a difference in numbers, or the size of an area.

For teachers: indicates a margin of difference, a unit of measurement, or dimensions in a geometric context.

- The price of bread increased by twenty cents this week.
- The office space measures ten metres by twelve metres, providing ample room for the new workstations.

Usage: Used in dimensions (length by width) or to show how much a price or score changed.

### 6. past a place

adverb · CEFR B1

moving past a person or place.

For teachers: indicates movement along a path that passes a specific point or object.

- I waved at him as he drove by in his new car.
- Several cyclists sped by while we were waiting for the bus, barely noticing the crowd on the pavement.

Usage: Often follows verbs of motion like 'walk', 'drive', or 'go'.

### 7. nearby

adverb · CEFR B1

near or in the area.

For teachers: indicates presence in the immediate vicinity.

- Don't worry, I'll be standing by if you need any help.
- The emergency crew remained close by throughout the festival to ensure a rapid response to any medical incidents.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrase 'stand by'.

## Examples

- The keys are on the table by the door.
- The report was written by the manager and sent to the client by email this morning.
- By carefully analyzing the quarterly data, the researchers discovered that the trend was driven by a small group of highly active users rather than the general population.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.