by

S1 W1

BrE /bʌɪ/ AmE /baɪ/

preposition / adverb en → es

1 LOCATE NEXT TO [prep + noun] A1

next to or near someone or something

al lado de, cerca de

  • by somebody/something

Collocations by the window · by the door

  • She was sitting by the fire.

    Ella estaba sentada junto al fuego.

2 MEASURE [prep + noun] A2

used to show how much or how many of something there is in a particular quantity, distance, etc.

por unidad de medida

  • by the metre/kilogram/minute

Collocations by the hour · by the kilo

  • We sell our fruit by weight.

    Vendemos nuestra fruta por peso.

3 ACTION [prep + noun] B1

used to show who does something or how it is done

por, a través de

  • by somebody/something

Collocations by hand · by mistake

  • The painting was damaged by the sun.

    El cuadro se dañó por el sol.

4 TIME [prep + time] A2

used to show when something happens or how long it takes

a las, a la hora de

  • by the end of

Collocations by Monday · by next week

  • We need to finish by Friday.

    Necesitamos terminar para el viernes.

5 MEANS [prep + noun] B1

used to show how something is done or what method, system, etc. is used

por medio de, mediante

  • by email/post/phone

Collocations by bus · by car

  • I'll send you the details by email.

    Te enviaré los detalles por correo electrónico.

6 AUTHORSHIP [prep + noun] B1

used to show who wrote, made or produced something

por (autor)

  • by somebody

Collocations by Shakespeare · by Picasso

  • The book was written by Jane Austen.

    El libro fue escrito por Jane Austen.

7 SHARE [prep + noun] B2

used to show how much of something is shared or divided between people

por (parte)

  • by somebody

Collocations by half · by a third

  • The profits are shared by all the partners.

    Las ganancias se comparten entre todos los socios.

8 LIMIT [prep + noun] B2

used to show a limit or maximum amount of something allowed, possible, etc.

hasta (límite)

  • by somebody/something

Collocations by law · by agreement

  • The speed limit is 30 miles per hour by law.

    El límite de velocidad es de 30 millas por hora según la ley.