# find by

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/find-by
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to judge someone or something based on a specific rule or standard.

For teachers: 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I find him by his look." but "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.

## Usage notes

- 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'.

---

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.