~에 의하여

The expression ~에 의하여 is a formal and sophisticated grammatical construction in the Korean language that translates most closely to 'by', 'through', or 'due to' in English. It is primarily used to indicate the agent of an action in a passive sentence, the cause of a specific phenomenon, or the basis upon which a decision or action is made. While beginner students might first learn simpler particles like '가/이' for subjects or '로' for methods, ~에 의하여 elevates the register of speech to a professional, academic, or literary level. It is derived from the verb 의하다 (ui-hada), which means 'to be based on' or 'to depend on', combined with the conjunctive ending ~여.

Grammatical Function

It functions as a complex postpositional phrase that attaches to nouns to identify the source of influence or the perpetrator of an act in formal contexts.

In everyday conversation, Koreans rarely use ~에 의하여 because it sounds overly stiff or 'bookish'. Instead, you will encounter it frequently in news broadcasts, legal documents, scientific reports, and classic literature. For instance, when describing a law that was passed by the National Assembly or a scientific discovery made by a specific researcher, this phrase provides a clear, objective link between the result and the agent. It is the hallmark of written Korean (문어체) rather than spoken Korean (구어체).

Understanding the nuance of this word requires recognizing that Korean is naturally an active-voice-oriented language. Using ~에 의하여 allows a speaker to shift the focus away from the doer and onto the action or the object being acted upon, much like the English passive voice. This is particularly useful in journalism where objectivity is paramount. It creates a sense of distance and formality that is essential for professional communication in South Korea.

Historical Context

The root '의(依)' is a Hanja character meaning 'to lean on' or 'to rely'. This suggests that the result 'leans' on the cause or agent for its existence.

Furthermore, ~에 의하여 is often shortened to ~에 의해 in modern writing to make it slightly less cumbersome while maintaining the same level of formality. Both are interchangeable, but the longer version is considered the most complete and traditional form. When you see this in a text, you should immediately prepare yourself for a factual or serious discussion. It is not a word used for lighthearted topics or among close friends unless one is being intentionally dramatic or mimicking a news anchor.

Usage in Media

News headlines often use this to attribute actions to government bodies or external forces without using personal pronouns.

In summary, ~에 의하여 is a vital bridge for intermediate learners moving into advanced Korean. It allows for the construction of complex sentences that describe the world in terms of cause and effect, agency, and institutional action. Mastery of this phrase signifies a transition from basic survival Korean to academic and professional proficiency.

Using ~에 의하여 correctly involves understanding its placement and the types of nouns it follows. As a postpositional construction, it always follows a noun or a noun phrase. The basic structure is [Noun] + 에 의하여 + [Verb/Result]. Because it is a formal expression, the verb at the end of the sentence should also be in a formal or polite ending, such as ~습니다 or ~어/아집니다 (passive form).

Rule 1: Passive Agency

When a sentence is in the passive voice, ~에 의하여 identifies who or what performed the action. For example, 'The window was broken by the wind.'

One of the most common ways to use this phrase is when discussing rules, laws, or regulations. In these cases, it translates to 'according to' or 'by virtue of'. It establishes a legal or logical basis for an outcome. If you are writing a report for work or school, this is the preferred way to cite your sources or the reasons behind a specific data point.

Rule 2: Causal Relationships

It is used to show that 'A' happened because of 'B'. This is more formal than using '때문에'.

Another important aspect is the variation ~에 의한. While ~에 의하여 acts like an adverbial phrase (modifying the following verb), ~에 의한 acts like an adjective (modifying the following noun). For example, 'The damage caused by the fire' would use ~에 의한. Choosing between these two depends entirely on whether you are describing an action or a noun.

In academic writing, you will often see it paired with words like 연구 (research), 조사 (investigation), or 분석 (analysis). This helps in attributing findings to specific methodologies. For instance, 'According to the research conducted by Professor Kim...' would use this structure to maintain a high academic tone. It avoids the use of personal subjects, making the writing feel more objective and authoritative.

Rule 3: Formal Attribution

Use it to attribute works of art, inventions, or discoveries to their creators in formal contexts.

Finally, remember that ~에 의하여 is not used for physical proximity. If you want to say 'I am standing by the tree', you must use '옆에' (beside). ~에 의하여 is strictly for abstract 'by' (agency/cause). Using it for location is a common mistake for English speakers who translate too literally. Always check if you can replace 'by' with 'due to' or 'through the agency of'—if you can, ~에 의하여 is likely the correct choice.

If you were to walk through the streets of Seoul, you might not hear ~에 의하여 in a coffee shop or a subway station. However, as soon as you turn on the television to watch the 9 PM news, you will hear it constantly. News anchors use it to report on government actions, international relations, and criminal investigations. It provides a level of professional distance that is expected in Korean journalism. For example, 'The suspect was arrested by the police' would almost certainly use ~에 의하여 in a news report.

News & Media

Used to report facts objectively without sounding overly personal or emotional.

In the corporate world, ~에 의하여 is the standard for official emails, reports, and contracts. If a company policy is being updated 'by' the board of directors, the official announcement will use this phrase. It conveys authority and precision. Employees reading such documents understand that the information is official and legally binding. In a business meeting, a presenter might use it when showing charts to explain that 'Sales increased by the new marketing strategy'.

Legal settings are perhaps the most frequent 'home' for this word. The South Korean constitution and various civil codes are filled with ~에 의하여. It is used to define rights that are 'guaranteed by law' or actions that are 'prohibited by statute'. For anyone studying Korean law or dealing with legal paperwork in Korea, this phrase is unavoidable. It creates the 'if-then' logic necessary for legal frameworks.

Academic Lectures

Professors use it to explain theories, such as 'Gravity as defined by Newton'.

You will also find this in documentaries and educational content. When a narrator explains how a mountain was formed 'by volcanic activity' or how a language evolved 'by cultural exchange', ~에 의하여 provides the necessary explanatory power. It sounds much more 'scientific' than simply saying 'because of'. For students preparing for the TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) exam, this phrase is a staple of the reading and writing sections, especially in levels 4, 5, and 6.

Lastly, in religious texts or philosophical treatises, ~에 의하여 is used to discuss divine will or natural laws. It carries a weight of inevitability and truth. While you might not use it to tell your friend that you were late 'by' the traffic (you'd use '때문에'), you would use it to say that 'Human destiny is shaped by their choices' in a philosophical essay. It is a word that moves the conversation from the mundane to the meaningful.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with ~에 의하여 is using it in casual, everyday speech. In English, the word 'by' is very versatile and used in almost every register. However, in Korean, saying 'I was hit by a ball' using ~에 의하여 in a playground setting would sound incredibly strange—almost like a robot or a very stiff textbook. In casual settings, Koreans prefer the particle '한테' for people or '에' for objects, or they simply use an active sentence: 'A ball hit me.'

Mistake 1: Register Mismatch

Using it with friends or family. It makes you sound like you are reading a legal contract aloud.

Another common error is confusing ~에 의하여 with spatial 'by'. English uses 'by' to mean 'next to' (e.g., 'Stand by me'). In Korean, ~에 의하여 has zero spatial meaning. It only refers to agency or cause. If you want to say 'The house by the river', you must use '강가에 있는 집' or '강 옆의 집'. Using ~에 의하여 here would imply the house was built or caused by the river, which makes no sense.

Mistake 2: Spatial Confusion

Using it to describe location. Remember: it's for 'how' or 'who', not 'where'.

Learners also often struggle with the difference between ~에 의하여 and ~로 인하여. While they are very similar, ~로 인하여 is specifically used for negative causes or reasons (like 'due to an accident' or 'because of a disease'). ~에 의하여 is more neutral and can be used for both positive and negative agency. Using ~에 의하여 for a tragic accident isn't 'wrong', but ~로 인하여 is often more precise in formal writing.

A technical mistake involves the ending of the phrase. Some learners forget to use the conjunctive form '여' and try to use the base form '의하다' in the middle of a sentence without proper conjugation. Remember that ~에 의하여 is a set phrase. You cannot simply say 'Noun 에 의하다' and stop. It must be followed by a verb or changed to ~에 의한 to modify a noun. Misusing these two forms is a common way to lose points on the TOPIK writing section.

Mistake 3: Over-translation

Translating every 'by' in English to '~에 의하여'. English 'by' can mean method (by bus), time (by 5 PM), or agency. Only the agency/cause meaning works here.

Korean has several ways to express cause, agency, and basis. Understanding the differences between ~에 의하여 and its alternatives is key to sounding like a native speaker. The most common alternative is ~때문에. While ~에 의하여 is formal and objective, ~때문에 is versatile and used in both casual and formal speech to mean 'because of'. However, ~때문에 cannot easily express agency in a passive sentence (e.g., 'written by').

~에 의하여 vs. ~때문에

~에 의하여: Formal, focuses on the agent/basis. (e.g., By law)
~때문에: General, focuses on the reason/cause. (e.g., Because of the rain)

Another close relative is ~로 인하여. As mentioned before, this is almost identical in formality to ~에 의하여, but it carries a stronger nuance of 'cause and effect', especially for negative outcomes. If a bridge collapses 'due to' an earthquake, ~로 인하여 is the perfect choice. It highlights the 'result' (인) that comes 'from' (로) the cause.

For expressing 'according to', ~에 따르면 is a very common alternative. While ~에 의하여 implies that the basis *caused* or *forced* the outcome, ~에 따르면 is used for citing information sources. 'According to the news' is always '뉴스에 따르면', never '뉴스에 의하여'. Use ~에 의하여 when the noun is the active force, and ~에 따르면 when the noun is just a source of information.

~에 의하여 vs. ~에 따르면

~에 의하여: The basis that determines or causes something. (e.g., Decided by vote)
~에 따르면: The source of the information. (e.g., According to the report)

Lastly, the simple particle ~(으)로 can sometimes replace ~에 의하여 when expressing means or tools. 'I went by bus' is '버스로', not '버스에 의하여'. However, ~에 의하여 is much more 'heavy' and formal. If you are writing a thesis about how 'The economy was driven by the manufacturing sector', ~에 의하여 provides the academic weight that ~(으)로 lacks. In summary, choose your word based on the register (formal vs. casual) and the specific type of 'by' you mean (cause, agent, source, or tool).

Summary Table

• ~에 의하여: Formal Agent/Basis (By)
• ~로 인하여: Formal Cause (Due to - often negative)
• ~에 따르면: Information Source (According to)
• ~때문에: General Reason (Because of)
• ~(으)로: Tool/Method (By means of)