By means of means using or with the help of: it names the method or tool you use. The gate opens by means of a small electric motor. Means here is a noun, 'a way of doing something', and it keeps its s even when there's only one. The phrase is formal and suits descriptions of processes; in conversation, people say with or using.
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by means of + method, tool or process
- The team collected feedback by means of an anonymous survey.
- The gate opens by means of a small electric motor.
- Visitors can compare the two periods by means of an interactive map.
What changed
First versionThe gate opens by the means of a small electric motor.
RevisionThe gate opens by means of a small electric motor.
Phrases like with the help of and by the use of have the, so it slips in here too: by the means of. But the fixed phrase by means of has no article: by means of a small electric motor. Remove the, and the phrase is correct.
By all means means 'of course, go ahead': Can I sit here? — By all means. By no means means 'not at all': It's by no means easy. Neither has anything to do with method, even though they look almost the same as by means of.
Your turn
Choose the fixed form: They shared the results by ___ of a diagram.
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means — Means in this phrase always has an s, even when there's only one method: by means of a diagram. Mean without s is a different word.
Describe how something everyday works: a ticket barrier, a smart lock, a class vote. Use by means of.
The researchers tracked changes by means of photographs taken from the same spot each week.
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