How to use 由
Topic + 由 + person + verb phrase
由 introduces the person or group responsible for performing an action or bringing something about. A sentence often begins with the task or matter under discussion, then uses 由 to say who handles it. This is useful for assigning responsibilities, explaining decision-making authority, or tracing the source of an event. Responsibility here can be practical rather than blameworthy.
Put the responsible party after 由 and then state the relevant action. A topic before this phrase establishes what the action concerns. Some sentences add 是…的 to highlight the origin of a completed event. Avoid treating 由 as a general replacement for every English by; its use depends on the action and intended relationship.
Examples with pinyin and English
这件事由我说了算。
This matter is up to me.
这件事由我负责。
I am responsible for this matter.
这件事是由她引起的。
The incident was caused by her.
这次的广告是由他一个人拍摄的。
The advertisement was shot by him alone.
What to remember
- Name the responsible party immediately after 由.
- Use an opening topic to identify the matter handled.
- Recognize 是由…的 when an event's origin is emphasized.
Practise the pattern
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
Difficulty labels describe the level of the explanation; they are not official HSK placement. Send a correction with this page’s URL.