1. near or next to something
在...旁邊；靠近
She sat by the window.
她坐在窗邊。
The house is by the sea.
那棟房子在海邊。
By Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
by
preposition
快速理解
What does "By" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "By"?
「by」主要表示位置、時間、方式或動作的執行者。
- 1
位置（旁邊）
EN: The book is by the window.
翻譯: 書在窗戶旁邊。
- 2
時間（在...之前）
EN: Please finish the report by Friday.
翻譯: 請在星期五之前完成報告。
- 3
方式（透過）
EN: I go to work by bus.
翻譯: 我搭公車上班。
- 4
被動語態（由...）
EN: The song was written by a famous composer.
翻譯: 這首歌是由一位著名作曲家創作的。
小提醒：注意「by」在表示時間時，意思是「在...之前」或「不遲於」，而不是「在...期間」。例如「by 5 PM」是「下午五點前」，不是「整個下午五點」。
發音（How to Pronounce "By" in English）
How to pronounce "By" in English?"By" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "By" from YouTube Videos
South Korea would accept Trump-Kim deal to freeze North Korea’s nuclear programme | BBC News
BBC News
“Uh, and ever since, North Korea has been building up its nuclear arsenal and it has shunned really all attempts by the US- that was under then President Biden- to talk, attempts by the South Koreans to talk, and it has made clear really for the past three years that it will not give up its nuclear arsenal anymore, That it will not return to the table on the same premise that it did back in 2018, 2019..”
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Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "By"?How does "By" change by context?
2. used to show who or what does something
表示動作的執行者（被動語態）
The book was written by a famous author.
這本書是由一位著名作家寫的。
The song was performed by the band.
這首歌是由樂團演奏的。
3. not later than a particular time
不遲於；在...之前
Please finish the report by Friday.
請在星期五之前完成報告。
I'll be home by 6 o'clock.
我會在六點前回家。
4. using a particular method or means
透過；藉由（某種方法或工具）
We traveled by train.
我們搭火車旅行。
You can contact me by email.
你可以透過電子郵件聯絡我。
5. used to show the amount or degree of difference
表示差異的程度或數量
He is taller than me by five centimeters.
他比我高五公分。
The price increased by 10%.
價格上漲了10%。
6. according to a particular rule, standard, or system
根據；按照
We should play by the rules.
我們應該按照規則來玩。
By law, you must wear a seatbelt.
根據法律，你必須繫安全帶。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "By"?How to make natural sentences with "By"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| by + time expression | 在...之前 | The report must be finished by Friday. (報告必須在週五前完成。) |
| by + place | 在...旁邊；靠近 | She sat by the window. (她坐在窗邊。) |
| by + method/means | 透過...方式；藉由 | We traveled by train. (我們搭火車旅行。) |
| by + agent (passive voice) | 被...（用於被動式） | The book was written by a famous author. (這本書是由一位著名作家寫的。) |
| by + -ing form | 藉由做... | You can improve by practicing every day. (你可以透過每天練習來進步。) |
| by + oneself | 獨自地 | He fixed the car by himself. (他獨自修好了車。) |
| by + amount/unit | 以...為單位；相差... | The room is larger by two meters. (這個房間大了兩公尺。) |
| by + the + noun | 根據...；按... | Don't judge a book by its cover. (不要以貌取人。) |
用法說明
How is "By" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "By"?
by doing vs by to do
- by doing 是唯一正確的結構，用來表示「透過做某事」來達成某個結果或目的。介系詞 by 後面必須接動名詞 (V-ing)。
- by to do 是錯誤的結構。介系詞 by 後面不能接不定詞 (to + V)。
- 若要表達目的（為了…），應使用 to do 或 in order to do，而不是 by。 EN: You can improve your English by watching movies. 翻譯: 你可以透過看電影來提升英文能力。
EN:You can improve your English to watch movies.
翻譯:你可以提升英文能力（以便）去看電影。
EN:She passed the test by studying hard every night.
翻譯:她透過每晚努力讀書通過了考試。
EN:She studied hard every night to pass the test.
翻譯:她每晚努力讀書是為了通過考試。
總結建議
記住 by 表示「方法」時，其後永遠接 doing，而表達「目的」時則使用 to do。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "By" and similar words?How to choose "By" vs alternatives?
by vs with
"by" 強調動作的執行者或方式；"with" 強調使用的工具或伴隨狀態。
by vs near
"by" 表示緊鄰或就在旁邊；"near" 表示在附近，但距離可能稍遠。
by vs until
"by" 表示在某個時間點之前完成；"until" 表示動作或狀態持續到某個時間點。
口語用法
How is "By" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "By"?
引述
在口語中，常用來引述訊息來源或轉述他人的話，語氣較為隨意。 EN: I heard by John that the meeting is cancelled. 翻譯: 我聽約翰說會議取消了。
EN:By the looks of it, we're going to be late.
翻譯:看樣子，我們要遲到了。
語氣強調
用於加強語氣，常與 all 或 right 等詞連用，表達「就在旁邊」、「完全」等意。
EN: He lives right by the park.
翻譯: 他就住在公園旁邊。
EN:The car missed us by a mile!
翻譯:那輛車差一點就撞到我們了！
停頓填充
在思考或組織語句時，作為短暫的停頓填充詞，類似「呃」、「那個」。 EN: The best way to get there is... by... taking the subway. 翻譯: 到那裡最好的方法是…呃…搭地鐵。
EN:It's made by... you know, that famous designer.
翻譯:這是…你知道的，那位著名設計師做的。
正式寫作注意：上述口語用法，特別是「停頓填充」和部分隨意的「引述」結構，在正式書寫或學術文章中應避免使用，應改用更精確、完整的表達方式。
常見短語
What common collocations use "By"?What fixed phrases with "By" should I remember?
by means of
by means of [noun/noun phrase]
透過、藉由（某種方法或工具）
by accident
by accident
意外地、偶然地
by heart
know/learn [something] by heart
熟記、背誦
by the way
by the way
順帶一提、對了（用於轉換話題或補充資訊）
by myself
by myself/yourself/himself/etc.
獨自地、靠自己
by chance
by chance
碰巧、偶然
by all accounts
by all accounts
據大家所說、根據各方面的說法
by and large
by and large
大體上、總的來說
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "By"?Which "By" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×I need to finish this work until tomorrow.
✓I need to finish this work by tomorrow.
使用 'by' 表示在某個時間點或之前完成某事；'until' 表示動作或狀態持續到某個時間點為止。
×I cut the paper by scissors.
✓I cut the paper with scissors.
使用 'with' 表示使用具體的工具或器具；'by' 通常用於表示方法、手段或交通方式（如 by car, by hand）。
×I live by the supermarket.
✓I live near the supermarket.
'by' 表示緊鄰、就在旁邊；'near' 表示在附近（距離較近但不一定緊貼）。若住處並非緊貼超市，應使用 'near'。
×This book was written for Mark Twain.
✓This book was written by Mark Twain.
被動語態中，'by' 用於引出動作的執行者（作者、創作者等）；'for' 表示目的或受益對象。
×I will be there at 5 PM.
✓I will be there by 5 PM.
'at' 表示在一個確切的時間點；'by' 表示不晚於某個時間點，強調截止時間。
×I did the homework on myself.
✓I did the homework by myself.
'by myself' 表示獨自、靠自己完成；'on myself' 不是表達此意的常用片語。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "By"?What are tense/participle forms of "By"?