What does "by + -ing" mean?
We use by + verb-ing to answer the question How? It names the method or the way.
- How do you improve your English? By reading every day.
- How did he open the box? He opened it by pulling the lid.
Pattern: result + by + verb-ing. The verb after "by" is never "read" or "to read". It is always reading.
To say the method was missing, use without + -ing: "She passed the test without cheating."
Learning strategies: ways to learn smart
A learning strategy is a plan for how to learn. Here are four easy ones, each with its "by" sentence.
- Reading: I meet new words in a story by reading a little every day.
- Listening: I learn sounds by listening to songs and short talks.
- Speaking: I get brave by speaking with a friend.
- Taking notes: I keep ideas by drawing a mind map.
More ideas: guess a new word by looking at the words near it; check a word by using a dictionary; remember a fact by testing yourself after one day, three days and seven days.
How to spell the -ing form
Most verbs just add -ing: read → reading, listen → listening.
- Ends in silent -e: drop the e. make → making, write → writing.
- Short verb with one vowel and one final consonant: double the consonant. run → running, sit → sitting.
- Ends in -y: keep the y. study → studying, copy → copying.
Try it: make your own learning plan
Write three sentences about your plan. Start each with "I will ... by ...ing".
Example: I will learn ten new words this week by writing two a day. Then check after seven days: did the plan work?
Key formulas and definitions
- by + verb-ing = the way or method (answers "How?")
- without + verb-ing = the method was missing
- make → making, run → running, study → studying
- Learning strategy = a plan for how to learn
Worked examples
1. Join the ideas with "by": He got fit. He ran every morning.
He got fit by running every morning. (run → running: double the n.)
2. Answer: How can you find the meaning of a new word?
You can find it by looking at the other words in the sentence, or by using a dictionary.
3. Correct the sentence: "She learns English by listen to songs."
After "by" use verb-ing: She learns English by listening to songs.
4. Write the -ing form: write, sit, study, listen.
writing (drop e), sitting (double t), studying (keep y), listening (just add -ing).
Common mistakes
- Using the base verb after by: "by read" is wrong; say "by reading".
- Using "to" after by: "by to read" is wrong.
- Forgetting to drop the silent e: "makeing" should be "making".
- Using "by" for the thing used: say "with a dictionary" or "by using a dictionary", not "by a dictionary".