Thereby Meaning
/ðɛɹˈbaɪ/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
advBy it; by that; by that means, or as a consequence of that.
Sentence Examples
The failure was detected in time, thereby preventing a disaster.
Tom overslept, thereby missing the bus he usually catches.
Thereby reducing the risk of heart attack.
CEFR Practice Quiz
He studied very hard every day after work, ____ passing the final exam with high marks.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He worked late every night this week and ____ he was able to finish the entire project ahead of schedule today.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English therby, from Old English ðǣrbig, equivalent to there + by. Compare the parallel formation of German dabei.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Thirdly, Whereas the Maintenance of an hundred thouſand Children, from two Years old, and upwards, cannot be computed at leſs than Ten Shillings a piece per Annum, the Nation's ſtock will be thereby encreaſed fifty thouſand pounds per Annum, beſides the profit of a new Diſh, introduced to the Tables of all Gentlemen of Fortune in the Kingdom, who have any refinement in Taſte, and the Money will circulate among our ſelves, the Goods being entirely of our own Growth and Manufacture."
— 1729, [Jonathan Swift], A Modest Proposal for Preventing the Children of Poor People from Being a Burthen to Their Parents, or the Country, and for Making Them Beneficial to the Publick, Dublin: […] S[arah] Harding, […], →OCLC, pages 11–12:
"This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding."
— 1787, United States Constitution, Article VI, (Please provide the book title or journal name):
"Smoking is a form of self-inflicted injury and is thereby prohibited by Jewish law."
— 2000, David Golinkin, “Is Smoking Prohibited By Jewish Law”, in Responsa in a Moment, volume 3, page 94:
"For it would surely improve the domestic standing of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, an unbudgeable hawk, and thereby indefinitely delay peace on that Middle Eastern front."
— 2009 October 1, “Answering Iran’s Nuclear Challenge”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 17 Jun 2022:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
He studied very hard every day after work, ____ passing the final exam with high marks.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He worked late every night this week and ____ he was able to finish the entire project ahead of schedule today.