Phrasal verb
find by
Definition
phrasal verb. to judge someone or something based on a specific rule or standard.
phrasal verb. to evaluate or categorize a person or thing according to a particular criterion or set of standards; often used in legal or formal evaluative contexts.
Examples
“You shouldn't find people by their clothes.”
“The committee will find the candidates by their previous experience and technical skills.”
“In many jurisdictions, the court must find the defendant guilty or innocent by the evidence presented during the trial.”
Examples
simple
“You shouldn't find people by their clothes.”
contextual
“The committee will find the candidates by their previous experience and technical skills.”
complex
“In many jurisdictions, the court must find the defendant guilty or innocent by the evidence presented during the trial.”
Usage
often used in the passive voice or in contexts involving formal judgment.
Teaching tip
this is less common than 'judge by' but appears in specific formal or legal contexts; ensure students don't confuse it with the literal 'find something near something'.
Pitfall
I find him by his look.
I judge him by his look.
while 'find by' is used for standards, 'judge by' is the more natural choice for personal opinions or appearances.
Phrasal verb
Particles
by
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
find + object + by + standard
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/find-by