IELTS Vocabulary: Mastering the Preposition ‘By’
Learn the various uses and meanings of the preposition ‘by’ in English. This lesson covers its function as a preposition and adverb, explores its different meanings, and provides examples to help you use it correctly in your IELTS exam and everyday English.
Welcome to our IELTS vocabulary lesson. Today we’re focusing on a small but mighty word: by. This word is essential for expressing various relationships in English, so let’s dive right in and explore its uses.
Word type: By is primarily used as a preposition in English. It can also function as an adverb in certain contexts.
Meaning: The word by has several meanings depending on how it’s used. It can indicate the person who did something, the method or means of doing something, the deadline for completing an action, or proximity in space or time.
Word history: By has been part of the English language for centuries. It comes from Old English and has retained its core meanings throughout history.
Examples use in sentences: Let’s look at some examples to better understand how to use by. The painting was created by a famous artist.
In this sentence, by indicates who performed the action. We traveled by train to reach the city. Here, by shows the method of transportation.
The report must be finished by Friday. In this case, by indicates a deadline. The cafe is located by the park.
This use of by shows proximity or location. I’ll be home by six o’clock. Here, by indicates a time limit.
Common errors in use: Some common mistakes with by include confusing it with until when talking about time, or misusing it in passive sentences.
For example, saying The book is written from Shakespeare instead of The book is written by Shakespeare.
Another error is using by with certain verbs that don’t require it. For instance, saying I’ll telephone by you tomorrow is incorrect.
The correct form is I’ll telephone you tomorrow. To wrap up, by is a versatile word that’s crucial for expressing various relationships in English.
It can show who did something, how it was done, when it should be completed, or where something is located.
Remember to practice using by in different contexts to improve your IELTS score. Keep working on your English skills, and you’ll see improvement in no time!
