You use the word by every day, but did you know there are many other fun and useful ways to say it? Whether you’re chatting, writing, or explaining something, these synonyms will make your language pop. From simple words like near to phrases like through the agency of, you’ll learn to say “by” in cool new ways with examples that make sense.
1. Alongside
Alongside means next to or together with someone or something. For example, “She walked alongside her friend during the hike.” It’s often used to show two people or things are close or working together. If you place something alongside another, they are side by side. This word is great for describing cooperation or closeness in space. It sounds friendly and natural when talking about being near or supporting someone. Alongside can also mean helping, like “He worked alongside the team to finish the project.”
2. Next to
Next to means very close to something or someone, usually on one side. For example, “The coffee shop is next to the bookstore.” It’s a simple way to say that two things are neighbors or beside each other. You can use next to to describe locations, feelings, or even comparisons, like “He stood next to his best friend.” It’s common in everyday conversations and easy to understand. This phrase helps you talk about position clearly and naturally.
3. Beside
Beside means by the side of someone or something. For example, “She sat beside her mother during the movie.” It is similar to next to but often sounds a little more formal. Beside is useful when describing physical location or emotional closeness. For instance, “He was always beside her in difficult times.” You can use it to show support or to tell where someone or something is placed. It’s a neat and polite way to talk about being close or near.
4. Near
Near means not far away from something or someone. For example, “There is a park near my house.” It’s a simple and common word to talk about distance. You can also use near to describe time, like “The holiday is near.” Near can describe physical places or more abstract ideas like feelings, such as being near to someone emotionally. It’s a versatile word you can use in many situations to describe closeness or approach.
5. Close to
Close to means very near something in distance or relationship. For example, “The school is close to the library.” You can also say, “She is close to her family,” meaning they have a strong bond. It’s used for places, people, or feelings. Close to is friendly and easy to use in daily speech. It helps explain both physical closeness and emotional connections. This phrase is handy for describing how near something or someone is in different ways.
6. Adjacent to
Adjacent to means next to or touching something else. For example, “The restaurant is adjacent to the cinema.” It’s a bit more formal than “next to” but means the same. You might hear it in maps, buildings, or official writing. Adjacent to clearly shows two things are side by side without anything in between. It’s useful in technical or professional contexts when explaining locations or layouts.
7. Nearby
Nearby means not far away or close by. For example, “There is a pharmacy nearby if you need medicine.” It can be an adverb or adjective, like “a nearby store.” It’s casual and common, perfect for everyday talk about places. Nearby helps describe quick access or short distances. It’s simple and friendly, helping people understand where something is without being exact.
8. Together with
Together with means in the company of or combined with someone or something. For example, “She worked together with her teammates to finish the project.” It shows cooperation and closeness. You can use it when talking about people joining forces or things combined. It’s friendly and clear, great for teamwork or partnership ideas. This phrase helps express unity and connection between people or objects.
9. Accompanying
Accompanying means going with someone or something. For example, “The singer was accompanying the band on stage.” It is often used in formal or descriptive situations. Accompanying shows one person or thing moves or exists with another. You might say, “The report was sent with the accompanying documents.” It’s a polite and detailed way to say something or someone is going along with another.
10. With
With means having or being together with someone or something. For example, “She went to the party with her friends.” It’s one of the simplest and most common words to show company or connection. You can also use with to describe tools or ways of doing things, like “He cut the paper with scissors.” It’s very flexible and used in countless situations, making it essential in English.
11. Through
Through means moving in one side and out of the other side of something. For example, “They walked through the park.” It can also mean by way of or because of something, like “He learned through experience.” It shows movement or cause. Through is useful in many contexts, such as physical places or processes. It helps explain how something happens or moves across.
12. Via
Via means by way of or through a place or method. For example, “We traveled to the city via train.” It’s often used in writing or formal speech. Via shows the path or means something uses to happen. You can say, “Send the email via your work account.” It’s a neat, concise word to describe routes, methods, or communication channels.
13. Using
Using means employing something as a tool or method. For example, “She wrote the letter using a computer.” It tells how something is done. Using is very common and practical, perfect for explaining actions or techniques. You might say, “He fixed the car using a wrench.” It shows the way a task is performed with an object or method.
14. By means of
By means of means using a particular way or tool to do something. For example, “She solved the problem by means of careful research.” It’s a bit formal and often used in writing. This phrase explains the method or tool used for an action. It’s useful when describing how something is done or achieved, especially in detailed explanations.
15. Per
Per means according to or for each. For example, “You can have one cookie per person.” It is often used in rules or instructions. Per helps show division, limits, or agreement with something. You might see it in official contexts, like “Salary is $20 per hour.” It’s short and useful for clear communication about amounts or rules.
16. According to
According to means as said or decided by someone or something. For example, “According to the weather report, it will rain tomorrow.” It shows that the information comes from a source. According to is helpful when you want to share facts or opinions from others. It’s common in conversations, news, and writing, helping you show where information comes from.
17. As stated by
As stated by means exactly as someone has said or written. For example, “As stated by the teacher, homework is due Friday.” It’s used to repeat or share information from someone clearly and formally. This phrase shows you are sharing information that comes directly from another person’s words. It’s useful in official or clear communication to avoid confusion.
Final Thoughts
Exploring different ways to say by can make your language richer and more interesting. Each synonym brings its own style—some are casual, others more formal or precise. Using these alternatives helps you express ideas clearly and creatively. Whether you want to describe locations, methods, or relationships, these words will come in handy. Keep practicing them in your daily conversations and writing, and you’ll sound smarter and more confident in no time!