By vs. Through: Difference and Comparison
By Muazma Batool & Muneeza Rehman — Published on May 7, 2024
"By" generally denotes agency or means of an action, indicating how something is done or who does it, while "through" indicates movement from one side to another, often conveying a sense of progression or process within a space or time.
Difference Between By and Through
"By" is used to express the means or agent performing an action, often involving tools, methods, or persons. For example, "by using a hammer" or "by the artist." In contrast, "through" often conveys a passage or a medium, suggesting motion or continuity, as in "walking through the park" or "throughout the year."
Muazma Batool
May 07, 2024
When considering time, "by" sets a deadline or a specific time before which something must be completed, such as "by 5 PM." On the other hand, "through" is used to discuss a duration, indicating a period from start to finish, like "through the night."
Muazma Batool
May 07, 2024
In terms of methods or means, "by" specifies the particular manner or way something is achieved, such as "by studying hard." Whereas "through" implies a process or steps taken within a system or a progression, as in "working through problems."
Muazma Batool
May 07, 2024
"By" can also denote proximity, suggesting being near or beside, as in "by the river." Conversely, "through" can indicate having dealt with or overcome something, particularly when used in contexts like "getting through difficulties."
William
May 07, 2024
The use of "by" is also common in passive constructions to indicate the doer of an action after a passive verb, as in "The book was written by her." In contrast, "through" can be used to emphasize an experience or journey, indicating deep involvement, such as "learning through practice."
Muazma Batool
May 07, 2024
By vs. Through Comparison Chart
Function
Indicates agency, means, or method.
Indicates movement, progression, or duration.
Muazma Batool
May 07, 2024
Context of Use
Used to specify how something is done or who does it.
Used to describe a passage or continuity in space or time.
Muazma Batool
May 07, 2024
Examples in Time
"Finish the report by Friday."
"He worked through the night."
Muazma Batool
May 07, 2024
Examples in Method
"She learned English by practicing daily."
"He gained confidence through practice."
Muazma Batool
May 07, 2024
Examples in Space
"The café by the station."
"She walked through the forest."
Muazma Batool
May 07, 2024
Examples in Grammar
Passive voice: "The song was written by him."
Overcoming: "She got through the ordeal."
Muazma Batool
May 07, 2024
By vs. Through Definitions
◉By
Used to indicate the agent performing an action after a passive verb.
The painting was created by a renowned artist.
Lucas
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
Indicates movement from one side to another within something.
They walked through the woods.
Leo
Apr 29, 2024
◉By
Expresses the means through which something is achieved.
They traveled by train.
Kaitlyn
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
Describes a medium or instrumentality.
She spoke through a translator.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
Involves direct involvement or deep engagement.
She learned through direct experience.
Lucas
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
In one side and out the opposite or another side of
Went through the tunnel.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
Into and out of the handling, care, processing, modification, or consideration of
Her application went through our office. Run the figures through the computer.
Henry
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
At or to the end of; done or finished with, especially successfully
We are through the initial testing period.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
Up to and including
A play that runs through December.
A volume that covers A through D.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
Because of; on account of
She succeeded through hard work. He declined the honor through modesty.
Jonathan
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
From one end or side to another or an opposite end or side
Opened the door and went through.
Levi
Apr 29, 2024
◉By
Used to indicate a succession of specified individuals, groups, or quantities
One by one they left. They were persuaded little by little.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
Throughout the whole extent or thickness; thoroughly
Warmed the leftovers clear through.
Got soaked through in the rain.
A letter that was shot through with the writer's personality.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
Over the total distance; all the way
Drove through to their final destination.
Levi
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
Affording transportation to a destination with few or no stops and no transfers
A through bus.
A through ticket.
Nolan
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
Passing or extending from one end, side, or surface to another
A through beam.
Nolan
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
Having no more use, value, or potential; washed-up
That swimmer is through as an athlete.
Henry
Apr 29, 2024
◉By
From one side of something to the other, passing close by; past.
The stream runs by our back door.
He ran straight by me.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉By
Not later than (the given time); not later than the end of (the given time interval).
Be back by ten o'clock!.
We'll find someone by the end of March.
We will send it by the first week of July.
Kaitlyn
Apr 29, 2024
◉By
Indicates the person or thing that does or causes something: Through the action or presence of.
Jonathan
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
Entering, then later leaving.
I drove through the town at top speed without looking left or right.
Elijah
Apr 29, 2024
◉By
Following a passive verb.
The matter was decided by the chairman.
The boat was swamped by the water.
He was protected by his body armour.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
Surrounded by (while moving).
We slogged through the mud for hours before turning back and giving up.
Elijah
Apr 29, 2024
◉By
Indicates the creator of a work: Existing through the authorship etc. of.
There are many well-known plays by William Shakespeare
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
(North America) To (or up to) and including, with all intermediate values.
From 1945 through 1991;
The numbers 1 through 9;
Your membership is active through March 15, 2013
Henry
Apr 29, 2024
◉By
Indicates a means of achieving something: Involving/using the means of.
I avoided the guards by moving only when they weren't looking.
By Pythagoras' theorem, we can calculate the length of the hippopotamus.
We went by bus.
I discovered it by chance.
By 'maybe' she means 'no'.
The electricity was cut off, so we had to read by candlelight.
Henry
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
Passing from one side of something to the other.
Interstate highways form a nationwide system of through roads.
Leo
Apr 29, 2024
◉By
Indicates an authority according to which something is done.
By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife.
Olivia
Apr 29, 2024
◉By
Invokes an authority in an oath.
By Jove! I think she's got it!
By all that is holy, I'll put an end to this.
Levi
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
Without a future; done for.
After being implicated in the scandal, he was through as an executive in financial services.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉By
Indicates a means of classification or organisation.
I sorted the items by category.
Table 1 shows details of our employees broken down by sex and age.
William
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
No longer interested; wearied or turned off by experience.
She was through with him.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉By
Indicates the amount of change, difference or discrepancy
Our stock is up by ten percent.
His date of birth was wrong by ten years.
Lucas
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
Proceeding from origin to destination without delay due to change of equipment.
The through flight through Memphis was the fastest.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉By
In the formulae X by X and by Xs, indicates a steady progression, one X after another.
We went through the book page by page.
We crawled forward by inches.
Leo
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
(association football) In possession of the ball beyond the last line of defence but not necessarily the goalkeeper; through on goal.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉By
Acted on in units of the specified size or measure. (Sometimes hyperbolically)
Sold by the yard; cheaper if bought by the gross
He drinks brandy by the bucketful!
Jonathan
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
From one side to the other by way of the interior.
The arrow went straight through.
Jonathan
Apr 29, 2024
◉By
Per; with or in proportion to each.
His health was deteriorating by the day.
The pickers are paid by the bushel.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
From one end to the other.
Others slept; he worked straight through.
She read the letter through.
Leo
Apr 29, 2024
◉By
Indicates a referenced source: According to.
He cheated by his own admission.
By my reckoning, we should be nearly there.
Elijah
Apr 29, 2024
◉By
Used to separate dimensions when describing the size of something.
It is easy to invert a 2-by-2 matrix.
The room was about 4 foot by 6 foot.
The bricks used to build the wall measured 10 by 20 by 30 cm.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉By
(horse breeding) Designates a horse's male parent (sire); cf. out of.
She's a lovely little filly, by Big Lad, out of Damsel in Distress.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
Completely.
Leave the yarn in the dye overnight so the color soaks through.
Olivia
Apr 29, 2024
◉By
At, with, among
Are you eating by Rabbi Fischer? (at the house of)
By Chabad, it's different. (with, among)
Elijah
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
A large slab of stone laid in a dry-stone wall from one side to the other; a perpend.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
(obsolete) A coffin, sarcophagus or tomb of stone; a large slab of stone laid on a tomb.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉By
To or at a place, as a residence or place of business.
I'll stop by on my way home from work.
We're right near the lifeguard station. Come by before you leave.
William
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
From end to end of, or from side to side of; from one surface or limit of, to the opposite; into and out of at the opposite, or at another, point; as, to bore through a piece of timber, or through a board; a ball passes through the side of a ship.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉By
Aside, away.
The women spent much time after harvest putting jams by for winter and spring.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
Between the sides or walls of; within; as, to pass through a door; to go through an avenue.
Through the gate of ivory he dismissedHis valiant offspring.
Kaitlyn
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
By means of; by the agency of.
Through these hands this science has passed with great applause.
Material things are presented only through their senses.
Nolan
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
Over the whole surface or extent of; as, to ride through the country; to look through an account.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
Among or in the midst of; - used to denote passage; as, a fish swims through the water; the light glimmers through a thicket.
Olivia
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
From the beginning to the end of; to the end or conclusion of; as, through life; through the year.
Leo
Apr 29, 2024
◉By
In the neighborhood of; near or next to; not far from; close to; along with; as, come and sit by me.
By foundation or by shady rivuletHe sought them both.
Olivia
Apr 29, 2024
◉By
On; along; in traversing. Compare 5.
Long labors both by sea and land he bore.
By land, by water, they renew the charge.
Henry
Apr 29, 2024
◉By
Near to, while passing; hence, from one to the other side of; past; as, to go by a church.
Elijah
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
To the end; to a conclusion; to the ultimate purpose; as, to carry a project through.
Henry
Apr 29, 2024
◉By
Used in specifying adjacent dimensions; as, a cabin twenty feet by forty.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
Going or extending through; going, extending, or serving from the beginning to the end; thorough; complete; as, a through line; a through ticket; a through train. Also, admitting of passage through; as, a through bridge.
Henry
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
Having finished or arrived at completion;
Certain to make history before he's done
It's a done deed
After the treatment, the patient is through except for follow-up
Almost through with his studies
Elijah
Apr 29, 2024
◉By
With, as means, way, process, etc.; through means of; with aid of; through; through the act or agency of; as, a city is destroyed by fire; profit is made by commerce; to take by force.
Olivia
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
Of a route or journey etc.; continuing without requiring stops or changes;
A through street
A through bus
Through traffic
Olivia
Apr 29, 2024
◉By
Passing near; going past; past; beyond; as, the procession has gone by; a bird flew by.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉By
Out of the common path; aside; - used in composition, giving the meaning of something aside, secondary, or incidental, or collateral matter, a thing private or avoiding notice; as, by-line, by-place, by-play, by-street. It was formerly more freely used in composition than it is now; as, by-business, by-concernment, by-design, by-interest, etc.
Elijah
Apr 29, 2024
◉By
In reserve; not for immediate use;
Started setting aside money to buy a car
Put something by for her old age
Has a nestegg tucked away for a rainy day
Levi
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
Throughout the entire extent;
Got soaked through in the rain
I'm frozen through
A letter shot through with the writer's personality
Knew him through and through
Boards rotten through and through
Leo
Apr 29, 2024
◉Through
Means overcoming or getting past difficulties.
He got through the tough times.
Lucas
Apr 29, 2024
By vs. Through Frequently Asked Questions
Is "by" always related to agency?
Mostly, "by" relates to agency or means in a context, but it can also indicate proximity or time.
Muazma Batool
May 07, 2024
How does "by" function in passive constructions?
In passive constructions, "by" introduces the performer of the action, indicating who is responsible for the action described by the verb.
Lucas
May 07, 2024
Does "through" imply a physical space only?
"Through" can refer to physical spaces, periods of time, or experiences, not just physical spaces.
Henry
May 07, 2024
When should I use "by" instead of "through"?
Use "by" when you need to indicate the means or agent of an action, or to set a deadline. Use "through" when discussing movement or a duration of time.
Muazma Batool
May 07, 2024
Can "through" indicate success in overcoming challenges?
Yes, "through" often indicates overcoming challenges or dealing with difficulties, especially in personal contexts.
Kaitlyn
May 07, 2024
Can "by" and "through" be used interchangeably?
No, they serve different grammatical and contextual functions and generally cannot be swapped without altering the meaning of a sentence.
Muazma Batool
May 07, 2024
Can "by" and "through" both indicate means?
"By" directly indicates the means or method, while "through" can imply a medium or indirect means involved in a process.
Levi
May 07, 2024
How should I choose between "by" and "through" in writing?
Choose based on the action or relationship you want to convey; use "by" for methods and agents, and "through" for processes and passages.
Kaitlyn
May 07, 2024
What role does "through" play in narrative storytelling?
In storytelling, "through" can highlight a journey or development, emphasizing the progression and transformation of characters or situations.
Elijah
May 07, 2024
What are some synonyms for "by" and "through"?
Synonyms for "by" include "via," "through the agency of," and "with the help of." Synonyms for "through" include "via," "by means of," and "across."
Levi
May 07, 2024
What does "through" signify in terms of process?
"Through" signifies a process involving progression or stages within a system, project, or personal development.
Muazma Batool
May 07, 2024
How do "by" and "through" differ in indicating time?
"By" sets a deadline or specific time before which something happens, while "through" refers to a continuous duration.
Henry
May 07, 2024
Can "by" indicate location?
Yes, "by" can indicate location, typically meaning near or beside something.
Leo
May 07, 2024
Is "through" used in passive constructions?
"Through" is not typically used in passive constructions like "by"; its use is more active and dynamic, focusing on processes and movement.
Muazma Batool
May 07, 2024
What is a common mistake in using "by" and "through"?
A common mistake is using "by" when referring to a continuous process (where "through" is appropriate) or using "through" to imply direct agency (where "by" is correct).
Muazma Batool
May 07, 2024
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