1.用于被动语态的句子中,表示动作的执行者,意为“被;由”。
He was praised by the teacher.他受到了老师的表扬。
The book was written by Lu Xun.这本书是鲁迅写的。
2.表示方式、方法、手段等,后常接无冠词的名词或动名词,意为“通过;靠;用”。
Don't judge a person by appearances. 勿以貌取人。
He made a living by teaching.他以教书为生。
3.表示时间,意为“到……时(为止”或“不迟于……”。
He ought to be here by now.他现在应该在这儿了。
By the time he was ten, he had learnt about 1,000 English words.到十岁时,他已学了约一千个英语单词。
4.表示(增减)程度,尺寸数量等,意为“至……的程度”。
The bullet missed me by two inches.那子弹以两英寸之差未击中我。
The rope needs to be longer by two feet.这绳子需要再长两英尺。
5.表示交通路线或工具,后接名词不用冠词,意为“乘;坐”。
go by bus / plane / train 乘汽车(飞机、火车)去
travel by land / sea / air 陆上(海上、空中)旅行
6.表示位置,意为“在近旁;在……旁边”。
There is a pumping station by the river.河边有个抽水站。
