The spelling of the phrase "by that" follows the typical English spelling rules. The letter "b" represents the initial consonant sound, while the letter "y" is a vowel that serves as a glide to connect the consonants. The word "that" is spelled with the letters "t" and "h" to represent the unvoiced and voiced dental fricative sounds, respectively. In IPA phonetic transcription, "by" is spelled /baɪ/ and "that" is spelled /ðæt/. Together, they create the sound sequence /baɪ ðæt/.
"By that" is a colloquial phrase used to indicate agreement or acknowledgement of a previously mentioned statement or situation. It is often employed to confirm or validate a point or to express understanding.
In this usage, "by that" acts as an adverbial phrase that emphasizes the speaker's endorsement or acceptance of what has been said or demonstrated. It can aid in emphasizing credibility and trustworthiness in a conversation.
For example, if someone says, "The new restaurant in town has amazing reviews," another person may respond with "By that, I'm assuming you mean I should give it a try." Here, the phrase "by that" is employed to convey that the second individual is in agreement with the information shared and is willing to act upon it.
The phrase can also be employed to recall or refer back to an idea or situation that has been previously mentioned. For instance, if someone says, "I'm finally going on that long-awaited vacation to Hawaii!" another person may respond with "By that, you must be referring to the trip you've been dreaming about for years." In this context, "by that" is used to confirm that the speaker understands the subject under discussion.
Overall, "by that" serves as a useful conversational device that signals agreement or understanding, and often indicates the willingness to accept or act based on the information shared.
The phrase "by that" is a combination of two words: "by" and "that".
1. By: The word "by" is of Old English origin, deriving from the Old English word "bi", meaning "near" or "close to". It later evolved to convey the sense of "through" or "by means of". The Old English word "bi" has Germanic roots, ultimately tracing back to the Proto-Germanic word "bi".
2. That: The word "that" also has Old English roots and is derived from the Old English word "þæt". It is related to the German word "das" and the Dutch word "dat". The original Proto-Germanic word from which it originates is "þat".
When combined, "by that" denotes something happening or being done with the aid or assistance of the object referred to as "that".