By + Gerund to Describe How to Do Things

Learn how to explain the way or method of doing something using ‘by + gerund’. This structure helps you describe how you achieve results or do activities in your daily life.

1. When do we use “by + gerund”?

To explain how to do something

  • You can improve your English by watching movies.
  • Students learn better by taking notes.

To describe the method or way

  • She saves money by cooking at home.
  • He stays fit by running every morning.

To give advice about how to achieve something

  • You can make friends by joining social clubs.
  • People succeed by working hard.

2. How to form “by + gerund”?

Basic Structure: Subject + verb + by + gerund (-ing form)

    • You can learn by practicing.


Negative Structure: Subject + verb + not by + gerund

    • You learn languages not by memorizing.


Contrast Structure: Subject + verb + not by + gerund + but by + gerund

    • You improve not by watching but by practicing.

3. Common Verbs Used with By + Gerund

Learning Verbs:

  • learn by doing
  • improve by practicing
  • understand by reading

Achievement Verbs:

  • succeed by working
  • win by trying
  • achieve by focusing

Life Skills Verbs:

  • save money by budgeting
  • stay healthy by exercising
  • make friends by socializing

4. Tips and Mistakes to Avoid

Common Mistakes:

    • You learn by to study.
    • You learn by studying.
    • She improves by watch movies.
    • She improves by watching movies.

Important Tips:

    • Always use the -ing form after ‘by’.
    • Don’t use ‘to’ after ‘by’.
    • In contrasts, repeat ‘by’ before each gerund.
    • Make sure your contrasts are logical pair.

5. Examples

Positive Sentences:

    • You can save time by planning ahead.
    • Students learn vocabulary by reading books.
    • She made friends by joining a sports club.


Negative Sentences:

      • You won’t learn English by sleeping.
      • You can get fit by not sitting all day.
      • People succeed by not giving up.


Contrast Sentences:

    • You learn vocabulary not by memorizing but by using it.
    • She stays healthy not by dieting but by eating balanced meals.
    • He improved his English not by studying grammar but by speaking with natives.

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