by
gb/bˈaɪ/ us/bˈaɪ/
A1
English
~ 2800
által, mellett, -val/-vel, -ig, legkésőbb, elmegy
A1
1
által
B1
Usage pattern:
[action] by [someone/something]
The book was written by a famous author.
A könyvet egy híres szerző írta.
This song was performed by a local band.
Ezt a dalt egy helyi zenekar adta elő.
The painting was created by an unknown artist.
The decision was made by the committee.
Learner examples
The letter was written by Tom.
A levelet Tom írta.
This cake was made by my mother.
Ezt a tortát az anyukám készítette.
The picture was painted by Anna.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'by' with 'from' when talking about the creator of something. Use 'by' for the agent of an action.
Meaning
shows who does something
Collocations
written by
|made by
|created by
|done by
Synonyms
via (Can also mean 'through', but less direct for agency.)
Antonyms
without (Indicates absence of the agent or means.)
Themes
grammar
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to say who or what does something.
Used to indicate the person, group, or thing that carries out an action.
A1
2
mellett
A1
Usage pattern:
[something] by [something]
She sat by the window.
Az ablak mellett ült.
The shop is by the bus station.
A bolt a buszállomás mellett van.
He stood by his friend during the ceremony.
Learner examples
I am standing by the car.
Az autó mellett állok.
The bank is by the supermarket.
A bank a szupermarket mellett van.
The chair is by the table.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'by' and 'near'. 'By' often means immediately next to, while 'near' can mean a short distance away.
Meaning
next to or beside
Collocations
sit by
|stand by
|by the door
|by the window
Synonyms
beside ('Beside' is more formal and less common in casual speech.)
Antonyms
away from (Indicates distance instead of closeness.)
Themes
location
|daily life
|space
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to say that something is next to something else.
Used to indicate being near or at the side of something.
A1
3
-val/-vel
A1
Usage pattern:
[do something] by [method]
We traveled by train.
Vonattal utaztunk.
You can pay by cash or card.
Készpénzzel vagy kártyával is fizethetsz.
She improved her English by practicing every day.
Learner examples
I go to school by bus.
Busszal járok iskolába.
We pay by card.
Kártyával fizetünk.
He learns English by reading books.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'with' instead of 'by' for methods of transport. Use 'by' for general categories of transport, not specific vehicles ('on the bus').
Meaning
using a method or means
Collocations
travel by car
|pay by credit card
|learn by doing
Synonyms
through ('Through' can be similar but may imply passage rather than method.)
Antonyms
without (Indicates absence of a means or method.)
Themes
communication
|process
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to say how something is done.
Used to indicate the method, means, or process through which something happens.
A2
4
Usage pattern:
[do something] by [time/date]
Please finish the report by Friday.
Kérlek, péntekig fejezd be a jelentést.
We need to leave by 6 p.m.
Legkésőbb este hatig el kell indulnunk.
By 2025, the city will have a new airport.
Learner examples
I must finish homework by 8 p.m.
Este nyolcig be kell fejeznem a házi feladatot.
We will meet by noon.
Legkésőbb délig találkozunk.
He will come back by Monday.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'by' with 'until'. 'By' means at or before a point in time; 'until' means up to that point continuously.
Meaning
no later than a time/date
Collocations
by Monday
|by the end of the week
|by noon
Synonyms
before ('Before' focuses on earlier than; 'by' includes exactly at that time.)
Antonyms
after (Indicates later than the stated time, opposite of deadline meaning.)
Themes
time
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to say 'not later than' a time or date.
Used to indicate that something happens before or at a certain time or date.
B1
5
elmegy
A2
She walked right by me without noticing.
Közvetlenül mellettem sétált el, és észre sem vett.
We drove by his house yesterday.
Tegnap elhajtottunk a háza mellett.
Time goes by quickly when you're having fun.
Learner examples
I walk by the park every day.
Mindennap elsétálok a park mellett.
He went by me fast.
Gyorsan elment mellettem.
We drive by the school each morning.
Meaning
pass close to something
Collocations
go by
|walk by
|drive by
Synonyms
past ('Past' emphasizes after passing; 'by' emphasizes proximity in passing.)
Antonyms
toward (Indicates movement in direction of, not past.)
Themes
movement
|space
|travel
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Shows that you go near and past someone or something.
Indicates movement past and close to someone or something.
Grammar
Dictionary form
by
IPA
GB/bˈaɪ/
US/bˈaɪ/
Syllables & stress
by (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (by)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: by
- Plural: bys
Word family
Expressions
go by
1/ɡˈoʊ bˈaɪ/
phrasal verb
pass near or over time passes
To pass near something, or for time to pass.
Examples
- We watched the parade go by.
- As the years go by, technology changes quickly.
pass by
1/pˈæs bˈaɪ/
phrasal verb
move past close to something/someone
To go past someone or something close to you.
Examples
- He didn't even say hello when he passed by me.
- We watched boats pass by on the river.
by the way
1/bˈaɪ ðə wˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
informal
introduce unrelated information
Used to add new information to what you are saying, often not directly related to the main topic.
Examples
- By the way, did you see my email?
- By the way, I heard you got a new job.
by the way
2/bˈaɪ ðə wˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
introducing extra information
Used to add new information to a conversation that is not directly about what you were talking about before.
Examples
- By the way, have you seen my keys?
- By the way, I met your brother yesterday.
by the way
3/bˈaɪ ðə wˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
introducing an extra point
Use this when you suddenly add another piece of information or ask something new.
Examples
- By the way, did you get my email?
- I loved the movie. By the way, the soundtrack is great too.
- Your brother called, by the way.
Learner examples
- By the way, what time is the meeting?
- I finished the report, by the way.
stand by
1/stˈænd bˈaɪ/
phrasal verb
Support during difficulty
To stay loyal to someone and help them when they have problems.
Examples
- She stood by her friend during the trial.
- Please stand by for further instructions.
- We will stand by our decision no matter what.
- Rescue teams are standing by in case of emergency.
step by step
1/stˈɛp bˈaɪ stˈɛp/
fixed phrase
Gradually and in order
Doing something slowly and carefully in small stages.
Examples
- We will solve this problem step by step.
- Follow the instructions step by step.
- She followed the instructions step by step.
- She explained the process step by step.