Loading...
Loading...
In the immediate physical vicinity of; next to.
The park is located by the lake.
The park is located by the lake.
Used to indicate the agent or doer of an action.
The play was written by William Shakespeare.
The play was written by William Shakespeare.
Indicating the means or method by which something is done.
I came by car.
I came by car.
Passing in time; as, the hours went by.
The years went by quickly.
The years went by quickly.
Remember that 'by' often indicates proximity or agency.
Old English 'bī', 'be', related to 'be' in 'be-'
Be careful not to confuse 'by' with 'with'.