Alternative Ways to Express “Done By”: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding how to express agency (who performed an action) is crucial for clear and effective communication in English. While the passive voice using “done by” is a common method, it can sometimes sound awkward or less direct. This article explores various alternative ways to convey the same meaning, offering greater flexibility and nuance in your writing and speaking. Whether you’re an ESL learner aiming for fluency or a native speaker seeking to refine your expression, this guide provides the tools and knowledge to master alternative phrases for “done by.” We will delve into different grammatical structures, provide numerous examples, and offer practical exercises to solidify your understanding.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Definition: Expressing Agency
• Structural Breakdown of Passive Voice and Alternatives
• Types and Categories of Alternatives
  • Active Voice Constructions
  • Prepositional Phrases with “by”
  • Attributive Nouns
  • Participial Phrases
  • Possessive Constructions
  • Phrases Using Verbs of Creation/Origin
• Examples
  • Active Voice Examples
  • Prepositional Phrases Examples
  • Attributive Nouns Examples
  • Participial Phrases Examples
  • Possessive Constructions Examples
  • Verbs of Creation/Origin Examples
• Usage Rules
• Common Mistakes
• Practice Exercises
  • Exercise 1: Rewriting Passive Sentences in Active Voice
  • Exercise 2: Identifying Appropriate Alternatives
  • Exercise 3: Error Correction
• Advanced Topics
• FAQ
• Conclusion

Introduction

The phrase “done by” typically indicates the agent or performer of an action in a passive voice construction. While grammatically correct, overuse of the passive voice can lead to writing that sounds indirect, impersonal, or even evasive. Mastering alternative ways to express agency not only enhances the clarity and impact of your communication but also provides stylistic flexibility. This article will guide you through a variety of methods to express “done by” in a more engaging and effective manner. By understanding these alternatives, you can choose the construction that best suits your specific context and desired emphasis.

Definition: Expressing Agency

Expressing agency refers to the act of indicating who or what is responsible for performing an action. In English grammar, agency is often conveyed through the subject of a sentence, particularly in active voice constructions. The passive voice, using “done by,” shifts the focus from the agent to the recipient of the action. However, several other grammatical structures can effectively convey agency without relying on the passive voice. These alternatives include active voice constructions, prepositional phrases, attributive nouns, participial phrases, possessive constructions, and phrases using verbs of creation or origin. Each of these options offers a unique way to highlight the agent while maintaining clarity and stylistic variety.

Structural Breakdown of Passive Voice and Alternatives

The passive voice construction using “done by” typically follows the structure: Subject + Auxiliary Verb (be) + Past Participle + by + Agent. For example, “The report was written by the manager.” The subject (“The report”) receives the action, and the manager is identified as the agent. Alternatives often involve restructuring the sentence to place the agent in the subject position (active voice) or using different grammatical elements to highlight the agent’s role.

Active voice constructions follow the structure: Agent (Subject) + Verb + Object. For instance, “The manager wrote the report.” Here, the manager is the subject and performs the action of writing. Prepositional phrases, such as “by the hand of,” “at the direction of,” or “through the efforts of,” can also indicate agency. Attributive nouns modify other nouns to indicate origin or creation, e.g., “a Shakespearean play.” Participial phrases provide additional information about the agent, while possessive constructions show ownership or authorship. Understanding these structural differences allows for more informed choices when expressing agency.

Types and Categories of Alternatives

Active Voice Constructions

The active voice is the most direct and often the most effective way to express agency. By placing the agent in the subject position, the sentence becomes clearer and more concise. This approach emphasizes the agent’s role and responsibility.

Prepositional Phrases with “by”

While we’re exploring alternatives to “done by,” certain prepositional phrases using “by” can still be effective, especially when emphasizing the manner or means by which something was done. Examples include “by means of,” “by virtue of,” and “by way of.” These phrases often add detail and nuance to the expression of agency.

Attributive Nouns

Attributive nouns, also known as noun adjuncts, modify other nouns to indicate origin, authorship, or association. For example, “a Hemingway novel” indicates a novel written by Hemingway. This construction is concise and effective for attributing works or creations to specific individuals or entities.

Participial Phrases

Participial phrases, using either present or past participles, can add information about the agent and their actions. For example, “Written by Jane Austen, *Pride and Prejudice* is a classic novel.” This phrase provides context about the author while maintaining a clear connection to the work.

Possessive Constructions

Possessive constructions use the possessive case (‘s) to indicate authorship or ownership. For example, “Shakespeare’s plays” clearly indicates that the plays were written by Shakespeare. This construction is particularly useful for attributing creative works or intellectual property.

Phrases Using Verbs of Creation/Origin

Verbs like “created,” “designed,” “authored,” “composed,” and “developed” can directly express agency. Instead of saying “The website was designed by John,” you can say “John designed the website.” This approach is direct and emphasizes the agent’s creative role.

Examples

Active Voice Examples

The following table provides examples of passive voice sentences using “done by” and their active voice counterparts. Notice how the active voice often results in a more direct and concise sentence.

Passive Voice (“Done By”)	Active Voice
The painting was created by Van Gogh.	Van Gogh created the painting.
The song was sung by Adele.	Adele sang the song.
The book was written by J.K. Rowling.	J.K. Rowling wrote the book.
The experiment was conducted by Marie Curie.	Marie Curie conducted the experiment.
The law was passed by the parliament.	The parliament passed the law.
The cake was baked by my mother.	My mother baked the cake.
The car was repaired by the mechanic.	The mechanic repaired the car.
The house was built by the construction crew.	The construction crew built the house.
The article was edited by the editor.	The editor edited the article.
The play was directed by Steven Spielberg.	Steven Spielberg directed the play.
The project was managed by Sarah.	Sarah managed the project.
The presentation was given by the CEO.	The CEO gave the presentation.
The report was prepared by the analyst.	The analyst prepared the report.
The research was conducted by the scientists.	The scientists conducted the research.
The program was developed by the engineers.	The engineers developed the program.
The proposal was written by the consultant.	The consultant wrote the proposal.
The sculpture was created by Michelangelo.	Michelangelo created the sculpture.
The poem was composed by Emily Dickinson.	Emily Dickinson composed the poem.
The dance was choreographed by Martha Graham.	Martha Graham choreographed the dance.
The film was produced by Disney.	Disney produced the film.
The website was coded by John.	John coded the website.
The bridge was designed by the architect.	The architect designed the bridge.
The symphony was composed by Beethoven.	Beethoven composed the symphony.
The novel was translated by the translator.	The translator translated the novel.
The meal was cooked by the chef.	The chef cooked the meal.

Prepositional Phrases Examples

This table demonstrates the use of prepositional phrases to express agency, offering alternatives that emphasize the method or means by which something was accomplished.

Original Sentence (Passive or Active)	Alternative with Prepositional Phrase
The problem was solved by using a new algorithm.	The problem was solved by means of a new algorithm.
The contract was signed by the CEO’s authorization.	The contract was signed by virtue of the CEO’s authorization.
The information was delivered by email.	The information was delivered by way of email.
The painting was completed by the artist’s skill.	The painting was completed by dint of the artist’s skill.
The decision was made by the committee.	The decision was made on the part of the committee.
The project succeeded by everyone working hard.	The project succeeded by dint of everyone’s hard work.
The message was conveyed by a secret code.	The message was conveyed by means of a secret code.
The agreement was reached by negotiation.	The agreement was reached by way of negotiation.
The task was accomplished by teamwork.	The task was accomplished by virtue of teamwork.
The results were obtained by careful analysis.	The results were obtained by means of careful analysis.
The solution was found by trial and error.	The solution was found by way of trial and error.
The building was constructed by advanced technology.	The building was constructed by means of advanced technology.
The victory was achieved by perseverance.	The victory was achieved by dint of perseverance.
The data was transferred by secure connection.	The data was transferred by means of a secure connection.
The inspiration was gained by travel.	The inspiration was gained by way of travel.
The opportunity was seized by quick action.	The opportunity was seized by virtue of quick action.
The understanding was reached by open communication.	The understanding was reached by means of open communication.
The progress was made by consistent effort.	The progress was made by dint of consistent effort.
The access was granted by special permission.	The access was granted by virtue of special permission.
The transformation was achieved by dedication.	The transformation was achieved by dint of dedication.
The improvement was noticed by careful observation.	The improvement was noticed by means of careful observation.
The success was attributed by hard work.	The success was attributed by dint of hard work.
The discovery was made by accident.	The discovery was made by way of accident.
The invention was created by inspiration.	The invention was created by virtue of inspiration.
The breakthrough was achieved by persistent research.	The breakthrough was achieved by dint of persistent research.

Attributive Nouns Examples

This table illustrates how attributive nouns can be used to indicate agency, particularly in the context of creative works, inventions, or roles.

Original Sentence (Passive or Active)	Alternative with Attributive Noun
The play written by Shakespeare is famous.	The Shakespearean play is famous.
The novel by Hemingway is a classic.	The Hemingway novel is a classic.
The theory developed by Einstein revolutionized physics.	The Einsteinian theory revolutionized physics.
The painting by Van Gogh is easily recognizable.	The Van Gogh painting is easily recognizable.
The invention by Edison changed the world.	The Edison invention changed the world.
The laws passed by Congress affect everyone.	The Congressional laws affect everyone.
The decision made by the Supreme Court was controversial.	The Supreme Court decision was controversial.
The building designed by the architect is modern.	The architectural building is modern.
The research conducted by the scientists was groundbreaking.	The scientific research was groundbreaking.
The report written by the consultant was insightful.	The consultant’s report was insightful.
The analysis performed by the analyst was thorough.	The analyst’s analysis was thorough.
The strategy developed by the strategist was effective.	The strategic strategy was effective.
The plan created by the planner was detailed.	The planner’s plan was detailed.
The presentation given by the presenter was engaging.	The presenter’s presentation was engaging.
The solution proposed by the problem solver was innovative.	The problem solver’s solution was innovative.
The design created by the designer was unique.	The designer’s design was unique.
The code written by the programmer was efficient.	The programmer’s code was efficient.
The composition created by the composer was beautiful.	The composer’s composition was beautiful.
The choreography designed by the choreographer was stunning.	The choreographer’s choreography was stunning.
The production directed by the director was acclaimed.	The director’s production was acclaimed.
The lyrics written by the lyricist were poetic.	The lyricist’s lyrics were poetic.
The melody composed by the musician was catchy.	The musician’s melody was catchy.
The sculpture created by the sculptor was impressive.	The sculptor’s sculpture was impressive.
The invention created by the inventor was revolutionary.	The inventor’s invention was revolutionary.
The discovery made by the scientist was significant.	The scientist’s discovery was significant.

Participial Phrases Examples

This table demonstrates how to use participial phrases to add information about the agent performing the action, providing context and detail beyond simply stating who did it.

Original Sentence (Passive or Active)	Alternative with Participial Phrase
The book, written by Jane Austen, is a classic.	Written by Jane Austen, the book is a classic.
The song, sung by Adele, topped the charts.	Sung by Adele, the song topped the charts.
The painting, created by Van Gogh, is priceless.	Created by Van Gogh, the painting is priceless.
The theory, developed by Einstein, changed physics.	Developed by Einstein, the theory changed physics.
The invention, patented by Edison, revolutionized industry.	Patented by Edison, the invention revolutionized industry.
The research, conducted by Curie, was groundbreaking.	Conducted by Curie, the research was groundbreaking.
The symphony, composed by Beethoven, is a masterpiece.	Composed by Beethoven, the symphony is a masterpiece.
The play, directed by Spielberg, won awards.	Directed by Spielberg, the play won awards.
The website, designed by John, is user-friendly.	Designed by John, the website is user-friendly.
The code, written by Sarah, is efficient.	Written by Sarah, the code is efficient.
The proposal, submitted by the team, was accepted.	Submitted by the team, the proposal was accepted.
The report, prepared by the analyst, was thorough.	Prepared by the analyst, the report was thorough.
The presentation, given by the CEO, was inspiring.	Given by the CEO, the presentation was inspiring.
The solution, proposed by the consultant, was innovative.	Proposed by the consultant, the solution was innovative.
The analysis, performed by the expert, was insightful.	Performed by the expert, the analysis was insightful.
The plan, created by the planner, was detailed.	Created by the planner, the plan was detailed.
The design, conceived by the architect, was modern.	Conceived by the architect, the design was modern.
The choreography, created by the artist, was expressive.	Created by the artist, the choreography was expressive.
The sculpture, crafted by the artisan, was exquisite.	Crafted by the artisan, the sculpture was exquisite.
The meal, cooked by the chef, was delicious.	Cooked by the chef, the meal was delicious.
The film, produced by the company, was a success.	Produced by the company, the film was a success.
The product, developed by the engineers, is innovative.	Developed by the engineers, the product is innovative.
The theory, proved by the mathematician, is fundamental.	Proved by the mathematician, the theory is fundamental.
The system, implemented by the team, is efficient.	Implemented by the team, the system is efficient.
The discovery, made by the scientists, is significant.	Made by the scientists, the discovery is significant.

Possessive Constructions Examples

This table shows how possessive constructions can effectively indicate authorship or creation, particularly with names and titles.

Original Sentence (Passive or Active)	Alternative with Possessive Construction
The plays of Shakespeare are world-renowned.	Shakespeare’s plays are world-renowned.
The novels of Jane Austen are beloved classics.	Jane Austen’s novels are beloved classics.
The songs of the Beatles are timeless.	The Beatles’ songs are timeless.
The theories of Einstein revolutionized physics.	Einstein’s theories revolutionized physics.
The paintings of Van Gogh are instantly recognizable.	Van Gogh’s paintings are instantly recognizable.
The inventions of Edison changed the world.	Edison’s inventions changed the world.
The compositions of Beethoven are masterpieces.	Beethoven’s compositions are masterpieces.
The films of Spielberg are cinematic achievements.	Spielberg’s films are cinematic achievements.
The designs of Armani are synonymous with elegance.	Armani’s designs are synonymous with elegance.
The code of Sarah is clean and efficient.	Sarah’s code is clean and efficient.
The proposal of the team was well-received.	The team’s proposal was well-received.
The report of the analyst was insightful.	The analyst’s report was insightful.
The presentation of the CEO was inspiring.	The CEO’s presentation was inspiring.
The solution of the consultant was innovative.	The consultant’s solution was innovative.
The analysis of the expert was thorough.	The expert’s analysis was thorough.
The plan of the planner was detailed and comprehensive.	The planner’s plan was detailed and comprehensive.
The design of the architect was modern and functional.	The architect’s design was modern and functional.
The choreography of the artist was expressive and captivating.	The artist’s choreography was expressive and captivating.
The sculpture of the artisan was exquisite and detailed.	The artisan’s sculpture was exquisite and detailed.
The meal of the chef was a culinary delight.	The chef’s meal was a culinary delight.
The film of the producer was a box office success.	The producer’s film was a box office success.
The product of the engineers was a technological marvel.	The engineers’ product was a technological marvel.
The theory of the mathematician is a cornerstone of the field.	The mathematician’s theory is a cornerstone of the field.
The system of the team is efficient and reliable.	The team’s system is efficient and reliable.
The discovery of the scientists was a major breakthrough.	The scientists’ discovery was a major breakthrough.

Phrases Using Verbs of Creation/Origin Examples

This table illustrates how using verbs of creation or origin directly can make sentences more active and engaging.

Original Sentence (Passive or Active)	Alternative with Verb of Creation/Origin
The painting was created by Leonardo da Vinci.	Leonardo da Vinci created the painting.
The website was designed by a team of experts.	A team of experts designed the website.
The software was developed by a group of programmers.	A group of programmers developed the software.
The symphony was composed by Mozart.	Mozart composed the symphony.
The novel was authored by Charles Dickens.	Charles Dickens authored the novel.
The theory was formulated by Albert Einstein.	Albert Einstein formulated the theory.
The sculpture was sculpted by Michelangelo.	Michelangelo sculpted the sculpture.
The play was written by William Shakespeare.	William Shakespeare wrote the play.
The product was manufactured by a leading company.	A leading company manufactured the product.
The film was directed by Christopher Nolan.	Christopher Nolan directed the film.
The building was constructed by a skilled crew.	A skilled crew constructed the building.
The song was performed by a famous singer.	A famous singer performed the song.
The experiment was conducted by a team of scientists.	A team of scientists conducted the experiment.
The research was led by a renowned professor.	A renowned professor led the research.
The project was managed by a dedicated project manager.	A dedicated project manager managed the project.
The analysis was performed by an experienced analyst.	An experienced analyst performed the analysis.
The plan was created by a strategic planner.	A strategic planner created the plan.
The design was conceived by an innovative architect.	An innovative architect conceived the design.
The choreography was devised by a talented choreographer.	A talented choreographer devised the choreography.
The meal was prepared by a professional chef.	A professional chef prepared the meal.

Usage Rules

When choosing an alternative to “done by,” consider the following rules: Clarity: Ensure the alternative clearly identifies the agent. Conciseness: Opt for the most concise and direct option. Emphasis: Choose the construction that best emphasizes the agent’s role. Formality: Adjust your choice based on the formality of the context. Active voice is generally preferred in most situations, while prepositional phrases might be suitable for more formal or descriptive writing. Attributive nouns are best used when the connection between the agent and the work is well-established. Participial phrases can add extra detail, and possessive constructions are ideal for indicating ownership or authorship.

It’s also important to maintain consistency in your writing style. Avoid switching between passive and active voice unnecessarily. Choose the construction that best suits the overall tone and purpose of your writing.

Common Mistakes

One common mistake is using passive voice when active voice would be clearer and more direct. For example:

• Incorrect: The report was written by it.
• Correct: It wrote the report.

Another mistake is using vague or ambiguous prepositional phrases. For example:

• Incorrect: The problem was solved by ingenuity. (Whose ingenuity?)
• Correct: The problem was solved by the team’s ingenuity.

Misusing attributive nouns is also a frequent error. For example:

• Incorrect: The Shakespeare author wrote the play.
• Correct: The Shakespearean author wrote the play.

Using the wrong form of the participle in participial phrases can also lead to errors. For example:

• Incorrect: Write by Jane Austen, the book is a classic.
• Correct: Written by Jane Austen, the book is a classic.

Pay attention to subject-verb agreement when rewriting passive sentences in active voice. For example:

• Incorrect: The documents was signed by the manager. -> The manager sign the documents.
• Correct: The documents were signed by the manager. -> The manager signed the documents.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Rewriting Passive Sentences in Active Voice

Rewrite the following passive sentences in active voice.

Question	Answer
1. The email was sent by John.	1. John sent the email.
2. The cake was baked by Mary.	2. Mary baked the cake.
3. The house was built by the construction company.	3. The construction company built the house.
4. The report was written by the analyst.	4. The analyst wrote the report.
5. The presentation was given by the CEO.	5. The CEO gave the presentation.
6. The project was managed by Sarah.	6. Sarah managed the project.
7. The car was repaired by the mechanic.	7. The mechanic repaired the car.
8. The book was read by the students.	8. The students read the book.
9. The letter was delivered by the postman.	9. The postman delivered the letter.
10. The picture was painted by the artist.	10. The artist painted the picture.

Exercise 2: Identifying Appropriate Alternatives

Rewrite the following sentences using an alternative to “done by” that is NOT the active voice. You can use prepositional phrases, attributive nouns, participial phrases, or possessive constructions.

Question	Answer
1. The play was written by Shakespeare.	1. The Shakespearean play is famous.
2. The research was conducted by the scientists.	2. The scientific research was groundbreaking.
3. The decision was made by the committee.	3. The decision was made on the part of the committee.
4. The song was sung by Adele.	4. Sung by Adele, the song topped the charts.
5. The code was written by John.	5. John’s code is clean and efficient.

Error Correction

Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences, which attempt to use alternatives to “done by.”

Question	Answer
1. The Einstein theory is very complex.	1. The Einsteinian theory is very complex.
2. Write by the author, the book became a bestseller.	2. Written by the author, the book became a bestseller.
3. The team’s proposal, it was accepted.	3. The team’s proposal was accepted.
4. The analyst, his report was insightful.	4. The analyst’s report was insightful.
5. The website was designed of the team.	5. The website was designed on the part of the team.

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, exploring the nuances of agency in different contexts can be enlightening. Consider how agency is expressed in legal documents, scientific reports, or literary works. Analyze how different constructions can subtly shift the focus or attribute responsibility. Investigate the use of nominalizations (turning verbs into nouns) as a way to express agency indirectly. For example, instead of “The committee decided,” you could say “The decision of the committee was…” This approach can be useful in formal writing where objectivity is paramount. Also, explore how cultural differences influence the expression of agency in English.

FAQ

When is it appropriate to use the passive voice with “done by”?

The passive voice is appropriate when the agent is unknown, unimportant, or when you want to emphasize the action rather than the agent. It’s also useful when maintaining objectivity or avoiding blame.

How can I avoid overuse of the passive voice?

Focus on identifying the agent and making them the subject of the sentence. Use active verbs and avoid unnecessary prepositional phrases. Review your writing regularly to identify and revise passive constructions.

Are there specific contexts where active voice is always preferred?

In most cases, active voice is preferred for its clarity and directness. However, in scientific writing, passive voice is often used to maintain objectivity. In legal writing, passive voice may be used to avoid assigning blame. Consider the conventions of your specific field or context.

How do I choose the best alternative to “done by” in a given sentence?

Consider the clarity, conciseness, emphasis, and formality of your writing. Choose the construction that best conveys the intended meaning and tone. Experiment with different options and evaluate their effectiveness.

Can I use multiple alternatives to “done by” in the same piece of writing?

Yes, using a variety of constructions can enhance the stylistic diversity and interest of your writing. However, maintain consistency and avoid unnecessary shifts in voice or tone.

Conclusion

Mastering alternative ways to express “done by” is essential for effective and nuanced communication in English. By understanding the various grammatical structures and applying the usage rules outlined in this guide, you can enhance the clarity, impact, and stylistic flexibility of your writing and speaking. Whether you choose active voice constructions, prepositional phrases, attributive nouns, participial phrases, possessive constructions, or verbs of creation/origin, the key is to select the option that best suits your specific context and desired emphasis. Practice the exercises provided and continue to explore the nuances of agency in different contexts to further refine your skills. With consistent effort, you can confidently express agency in a clear, concise, and engaging manner.