～によって・～による (means or agent)
By means of something, or by the person who did it
You’ll be able to state the method used or the person responsible for an action, especially in formal or passive expressions.
この木彫りのベンチは、地元の職人によって作られました。
kono kibori no benchi wa, jimoto no shokunin ni yotte tsukuraremashita.
What do you think this sentence means?
This wood-carved bench was made by a local artisan.
By means of or created by
～によって can mean “by” or “through.” It names the means used to do something, or the agent responsible for a passive action.
この町の祭りは、町の人々によって守られてきました。
kono machi no matsuri wa, machi no hitobito ni yotte mamorarete kimashita.
This town’s festival has been kept alive by the people of the town.
話し合いによって、問題が解決されました。
hanashiai ni yotte, mondai ga kaiketsu saremashita.
The problem was solved through discussion.
Use it for a method or a passive agent
Attach によって to a noun. With a method, it is followed by the result. With a passive verb, it introduces the person or organization that performed the action. Use ～による before a noun, as in インターネットによる予約 (“a reservation made through the internet”).
この問題は新しい方法によって解決されました。
kono mondai wa atarashii houhou ni yotte kaiketsu saremashita.
This problem was solved by a new method.
このお寺は、約八百年前に一人のお坊さんによって建てられた。
kono otera wa, yaku happyakunen mae ni hitori no obousan ni yotte taterareta.
This temple was built about eight hundred years ago by a single monk.
電話は、ベルによって発明されたと言われている。
denwa wa, beru ni yotte hatsumei sareta to iwarete iru.
The telephone is said to have been invented by Bell.
新しい公園の名前は、市民の投票によって決められました。
atarashii kouen no namae wa, shimin no touhyou ni yotte kimeraremashita.
The name of the new park was decided by a vote of the citizens.
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