preposition
At the side of or near someone or something.
She sat by the window.
There is a pharmacy by the station.
Common phrases & grammar
by the door · by the window · by my side
sit/stand + by + noun
American English
How to pronounce by
preposition · adverbB1Very common word
BAI
/baɪ/
One syllable.
At the side of or near someone or something.
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
preposition
Using a particular vehicle or type of transport.
We went by train.
He usually travels by bus.
Good to know
For transport in general, say by car, by bus, or by train, without a or the.
Common phrases & grammar
by car · by bus · by train · by plane
travel/go + by + car/bus/train/plane
preposition
Using a particular method or system to do something.
Please send the form by email.
You learn by practicing.
Common phrases & grammar
by email · by phone · by hand · by credit card
send/pay/communicate + by + method
learn + by + verb-ing
preposition
Not later than a particular time.
Please finish this by Friday.
The report must be ready by noon.
Good to know
By Friday means on or before Friday, not only during Friday.
Common phrases & grammar
by Friday · by tomorrow · by then · by the end of the week
finish + by + time
be ready + by + time
Useful expressions
Used to add a separate point or question.
By the way, did you call Mom?
Before or when a stated time or event arrives.
By the time we arrived, the movie had started.
Alone or without help.
Can you do it by yourself?