N3 Methods, Scope, and Relation

~によって② (Method): meaning, usage and examples

~によって② (Method) means: by... / by means of...

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. この問題もんだいは話はなし合あいによって解決かいけつできます。

   We can solve this problem by talking together.

2. この大学だいがくでは、面接めんせつによって学生がくせいを選えらびます。

   This university selects students through interviews.

3. 毎日まいにちの練習れんしゅうによって、発音はつおんがよくなりました。

   My pronunciation improved through daily practice.

4. クラスの代表だいひょうは、投票とうひょうによって決きめました。

   We chose the class representative by vote.

When to use it

Shows the means or method by which something is done or achieved: "by," "by means of," "through." It is typical of explanations, news, and written reports, for example how a problem was solved, how something is decided, or how a skill improved. Use it with methods and processes, not with everyday tools like a pen or chopsticks.

Nuance

Formal and mostly written. For simple daily tools and transportation, で is the natural choice (バスで行いく, not バスによって行いく). によって sounds like the description of a process, so it often appears with passive or potential verbs such as 解決かいけつできる or 決きめられる.

Compare

This is one of three によって points. Cause: 事故じこによって電車でんしゃが止とまった (because of). Method: 話はなし合あいによって解決かいけつする (by means of). Variety: 人ひとによって違ちがう (depending on). Also compare で: ペンで書かく is an everyday tool; によって is for methods and processes.

Tip: Ask yourself: is this a process or a tool? Processes and methods take によって; tools and vehicles take で.