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Here are some results from Google: Zeel's answer on StackExchange Using the word "in" means that the action takes place at the same time as something. However "by" is used to denote the manner ...
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#4: Post edited
by
Moshi
·
2022-04-13T16:00:26Z (over 2 years ago)
Reworded some unnecessary passive-aggression and properly quoted the quotations
Upon Googling this question, 10 s later, I found a duplicate on [Stack Exchange](https://ell.stackexchange.com/a/54116). _**Did you try Googling?**_## [Zeel's answer](https://ell.stackexchange.com/a/54116)Using the word "in" means that the action takes place at the same time as something. However "by" is used to denote the manner or reason something was done.So "in doing so" actually means "while doing so", but "by doing so" means "because I did so".So consider:> I ran out the door, **in** doing so I slipped on the ice outside.This means that while I was in the process of running out the door, I slipped.> I ran out the door, **by** doing so I slipped on the ice outside.This means that I slipped as a direct result of running out the door - which isn't entirely true. If I had noticed the ice, worn different shoes, or stepped carefully I could have avoided slipping while still "running out the door". The direct cause of my slipping was negligence, not the action described in the sentence.- ## [FumbleFingers's answer](https://ell.stackexchange.com/a/54109)
I suspect many native speakers wouldn't really distinguish ***in/by** [doing so/so doing]*<sup>1</sup>, but to the extent that there *is* any tendency to use them differently...> *I hastily cleared up after the party guests had left, but **in doing so** I broke an expensive vase*...most people probably wouldn't use ***by doing so***. That's because the ***in*** version often simply means *while, at the same time*, whereas the ***by*** version normally implies *as a **direct, inherent,** and/or **intended** consequence*.---<sup>1</sup> As can be inferred from the lack of a clear consensus in responses to (presumably, a *different*) [nima's question on this dictionary forum last year.][1][1]: http://forum.thefreedictionary.com/postst67477_by-doing-so-vs--in-doing-so.aspx
- Here are some results from Google:
- ## [Zeel's answer on StackExchange](https://ell.stackexchange.com/a/54116)
- > Using the word "in" means that the action takes place at the same time as something. However "by" is used to denote the manner or reason something was done.
- >
- > So "in doing so" actually means "while doing so", but "by doing so" means "because I did so".
- >
- > So consider:
- >
- > > I ran out the door, **in** doing so I slipped on the ice outside.
- >
- > This means that while I was in the process of running out the door, I slipped.
- >
- > > I ran out the door, **by** doing so I slipped on the ice outside.
- >
- > This means that I slipped as a direct result of running out the door - which isn't entirely true. If I had noticed the ice, worn different shoes, or stepped carefully I could have avoided slipping while still "running out the door". The direct cause of my slipping was negligence, not the action described in the sentence.
- ## [FumbleFingers's answer](https://ell.stackexchange.com/a/54109)
- > I suspect many native speakers wouldn't really distinguish ***in/by** [doing so/so doing]*<sup>1</sup>, but to the extent that there *is* any tendency to use them differently...
- >
- > > *I hastily cleared up after the party guests had left, but **in doing so** I broke an expensive vase*
- >
- > ...most people probably wouldn't use ***by doing so***. That's because the ***in*** version often simply means *while, at the same time*, whereas the ***by*** version normally implies *as a **direct, inherent,** and/or **intended** consequence*.
- >
- > ---
- >
- > <sup>1</sup> As can be inferred from the lack of a clear consensus in responses to (presumably, a *different*) [nima's question on this dictionary forum last year.][1]
- >
- > [1]: http://forum.thefreedictionary.com/postst67477_by-doing-so-vs--in-doing-so.aspx
#3: Post undeleted
by
Moshi
·
2022-04-07T12:42:14Z (over 2 years ago)
#2: Post deleted
by
Moshi
·
2022-04-07T12:38:45Z (over 2 years ago)
#1: Initial revision
by
Este
·
2022-04-07T07:03:47Z (over 2 years ago)
Upon Googling this question, 10 s later, I found a duplicate on [Stack Exchange](https://ell.stackexchange.com/a/54116). _**Did you try Googling?**_ ## [Zeel's answer](https://ell.stackexchange.com/a/54116) Using the word "in" means that the action takes place at the same time as something. However "by" is used to denote the manner or reason something was done. So "in doing so" actually means "while doing so", but "by doing so" means "because I did so". So consider: > I ran out the door, **in** doing so I slipped on the ice outside. This means that while I was in the process of running out the door, I slipped. > I ran out the door, **by** doing so I slipped on the ice outside. This means that I slipped as a direct result of running out the door - which isn't entirely true. If I had noticed the ice, worn different shoes, or stepped carefully I could have avoided slipping while still "running out the door". The direct cause of my slipping was negligence, not the action described in the sentence. ## [FumbleFingers's answer](https://ell.stackexchange.com/a/54109) I suspect many native speakers wouldn't really distinguish ***in/by** [doing so/so doing]*<sup>1</sup>, but to the extent that there *is* any tendency to use them differently... > *I hastily cleared up after the party guests had left, but **in doing so** I broke an expensive vase* ...most people probably wouldn't use ***by doing so***. That's because the ***in*** version often simply means *while, at the same time*, whereas the ***by*** version normally implies *as a **direct, inherent,** and/or **intended** consequence*. --- <sup>1</sup> As can be inferred from the lack of a clear consensus in responses to (presumably, a *different*) [nima's question on this dictionary forum last year.][1] [1]: http://forum.thefreedictionary.com/postst67477_by-doing-so-vs--in-doing-so.aspx