20 Prepositional Phrases with BY

20 Essential Prepositional Phrases with ‘BY’: Improve Your Fluency

Hello, dear English learners! Have you ever noticed how a tiny word like “by” can completely change the meaning of a sentence? In English, we often use prepositional phrases—set expressions where a preposition (like by) pairs up with a noun to create a specific meaning.

Mastering these phrases is one of the fastest ways to sound more natural and “native-like.” Whether you are preparing for your B2 First or C1 Advanced, or just want to sound more professional at work, these 20 phrases are essential.

The “Accidental” Group

These phrases describe things that happen without planning.

• By accident: Without intention.
  • “I’m so sorry; I deleted our holiday photos by accident.”
• By chance: Unintentionally or luckily.
  • “I was walking through London and stumbled upon an old friend by chance.”
• By mistake: In error.
  • “I was in such a hurry that I put sugar into the soup by mistake.”

The “Intentional” Group

The opposite of the group above—these describe things done with a purpose.

• By design: Intentionally or planned.
  • “The garden didn’t just grow this way; it was beautiful by design.”
• By force: Using physical power or pressure.
  • “The protesters were removed from the building by force.”
• By hand: Manually, rather than by a machine.
  • “This silk dress was stitched entirely by hand.”

The “Generalising & Opinion” Group

Perfect for the C1 Advanced Speaking exam when you want to give a nuanced opinion.

• By and large: On the whole; for the most part.
  • “There were a few minor issues, but by and large, the holiday was enjoyable.”
• By all accounts: According to what most people say.
  • “Brian is, by all accounts, a fantastic tennis player.”
• By far: Undoubtedly; used for emphasis with comparatives/superlatives.
  • “This second book is by far the most interesting one in the series.”
• By no means: Definitely not; not at all.
  • “She is by no means inexperienced; she has worked in the industry for years.”

The “Personal & Mental” Group

Phrases related to memory, recognition, and solitude.

• By heart: To learn something so well that you can repeat it from memory.
  • “I still know all the lyrics to that song by heart.”
• By sight: To recognise someone’s face, even if you don’t know them personally.
  • “I don’t know the new neighbours well, but I know them by sight.”
• By myself / yourself / himself…: Alone or without help.
  • “The Joneses painted the entire flat all by themselves.”

The “Time & Communication” Group

Essential for scheduling and deadlines.

• By now: Up to this moment.
  • “The postman should have arrived by now.”
• By then: By a specific time in the past or future.
  • “I’ll be finished with work at 6:00. I’ll see you by then.”
• By the time: At or before the moment something happens.
  • “By the time Mike was twelve, he could already speak three languages.”
• By post: Using the postal service.
  • “I received the official application form by post.”

A Few More Useful Ones

• By all means: Certainly; used to give polite permission.
  • “‘May I look around?’ ‘Please, by all means!’”
• By law: According to official rules or authority.
  • “By law, parents are obliged to ensure their children attend school.”
• By default: Because of a lack of opposition or because no other choice was made.
  • “She became the champion by default when the other runner withdrew.”

Teacher’s Tip: “By” vs “With”

A common mistake I see is using “with” when you should use “by.”

Remember: We use BY for the method or means (by hand, by post, by car), and we use WITH for the instrument or tool (with a hammer, with a pen).

Practice Task

Try to write three sentences about your week using at least one phrase from each category above. Share them in the comments—I’d love to check them for you!