Formal 'By' Agent (-에 의해)
-에 의해 to formally identify the person, organization, or cause responsible for an action.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use -에 의해 to identify the agent of a passive action in formal, written, or academic contexts.
- Attach -에 의해 directly to the noun performing the action: 'The book was written by the author' (책은 저자에 의해 쓰였다).
- Use only with passive verbs: It indicates the source or agent of a state or action.
- Avoid in casual speech: It sounds overly stiff and is reserved for news, reports, or formal essays.
Overview
In Korean, expressing agency – the 'by' in 'done by' – isn't a one-size-fits-all matter as it often is in English. While you're likely familiar with particles like -로/으로 (by means of) or -에게/한테 (by a person in casual contexts), the particle -에 의해 (-e uihae, By/Due to/Through the agency of) marks a significant step into more formal, objective, and often institutional Korean communication. It signals that an action, event, or condition is primarily caused or brought about by the preceding noun, functioning as the agent or driving force.
This grammatical pattern is deeply rooted in the Hanja character 依 (의), meaning 'to depend on' or 'to rely on'. Therefore, (Noun)에 의해 inherently conveys that the subsequent action or state of being depends upon or originates from the noun. You'll encounter it extensively in written materials such as news articles, academic papers, legal documents, official reports, and formal speeches, where precision, objectivity, and a detached tone are paramount.
Understanding -에 의해 is crucial for comprehending sophisticated Korean texts and for producing accurate, authoritative statements at a B2 CEFR level.
How This Grammar Works
-에 의해 functions as an adverbial phrase, clarifying the agent, origin, or cause behind an action, particularly in sentences where the grammatical subject is the undergoer of the action (i.e., passive constructions). It attaches directly to a noun, making that noun the primary force or entity responsible for the verb's action. Think of it as formally attributing the action to a specific source.-이/히/리/기-) or by combining a noun with verbs like 되다 (to become), 받다 (to receive), 당하다 (to suffer), 입다 (to incur). When such a verb is used, -에 의해 explicitly identifies who or what performed the action that the subject underwent.그 책은 회사에 의해 출판되었다. (geu chaeg-eun hoesa-e uihae chulpan-doeeotda.). Here, 회사 (company) is the agent, 출판되었다 (was published) is the passive verb, and 그 책 (the book) is the subject undergoing the action. This structure maintains an objective distance, typical of formal reporting.-에 의해 can occasionally appear with active verbs, though this is less common and carries a distinct nuance. When used with an active verb, it often implies that the subject is acting based on, influenced by, or responding to the preceding noun, rather than the noun being a direct agent of the verb's action itself. For instance, 환경 보호법에 의해 공장이 운영된다. (hwangyeong bohopbeob-e uihae gongjang-i unyeong-doenda., The factory is operated by (i.e., in accordance with) environmental protection laws.) In this case, the law is not actively 'operating' the factory, but the operation is governed by the law.의하다.-서 in -에 의해서 provides a subtle emphasis on the means or process through which the action occurs. While often interchangeable with -에 의해, 에 의해서 can feel slightly more process-oriented or causal. Both forms are perfectly acceptable in formal contexts, with -에 의해서 perhaps being marginally more common in formal speech due to its rhythmic quality.모든 결정은 이사회에 의해 이루어집니다.(modeun gyeoljeong-eun isahoe-e uihae irueojimnida.) – All decisions are made by the board of directors. (Formal, objective statement in합니다체)새로운 기술에 의해 사회가 변화되었어요.(saeroun gisul-e uihae sahoe-ga byeonhwa-doeeosseoyo.) – Society was changed by new technology. (Formal but can be adapted to해요체for less rigid reporting)피해는 태풍에 의해서 발생했다.(pihae-neun taepung-e uihaeseo balsaeng-haetda.) – The damage occurred due to the typhoon. (Explicitly highlighting the typhoon as the cause).
Formation Pattern
(Noun)에 의해 is straightforward, making it grammatically simple to apply once you understand its usage context. It always attaches directly to a noun, without regard for batchim (final consonant) rules.
-에 의해 (adverbial form) or -에 의해서 (adverbial form with emphasis on means/process)
(Noun)에 의하다 (-e uihada), meaning 'to depend on (Noun)', 'to be based on (Noun)', or 'to be due to (Noun)'. From this base verb, various forms are derived, each serving a slightly different grammatical function while retaining the core meaning of dependency or agency:
-에 의해: The adverbial participle, meaning 'by (Noun)' or 'due to (Noun)'. This is the focus of this explanation, modifying a verb or verbal phrase.
정부에 의해 발표되었다. (jeongbu-e uihae balpyo-doeeotda.) – It was announced by the government.
-에 의해서: Functionally identical to -에 의해, often used for slight emphasis on the process or means. Interchangeable in most contexts.
연구에 의해서 밝혀진 사실. (yeongu-e uihaeseo balkhyeojin sasil.) – A fact revealed through research.
-에 의한: The adnominal (modifying) form, meaning 'that is by (Noun)', 'based on (Noun)', or 'due to (Noun)'. This form directly modifies a subsequent noun.
법률에 의한 보호. (beomnyul-e uihan boho.) – Protection by law (or legal protection).
-에 의하면: A connective form, meaning 'according to (Noun)'. Often used to cite a source for information.
보고서에 의하면... (bogoseo-e uihamyeon...) – According to the report...
-에 의하여: Another connective form, meaning 'due to (Noun)' or 'because of (Noun)'. Can be used to express cause.
부주의에 의하여 사고가 발생했다. (bujuui-e uihayeo sago-ga balsaeng-haetda.) – An accident occurred due to carelessness.
-에 의해 / -에 의해서 | Meaning |
jeongbu | 정부에 의해 / 정부에 의해서 | By the government |
gwahakja | 과학자에 의해 / 과학자에 의해서 | By a scientist / By scientists |
yeoron | 여론에 의해 / 여론에 의해서 | By public opinion |
jayeonjaehae | 자연재해에 의해 / 자연재해에 의해서 | By natural disaster |
jeongchaek | 정책에 의해 / 정책에 의해서 | By policy |
의하다.
When To Use It
-에 의해 is your go-to pattern when you need to convey agency, causation, or origin in formal, objective, and often detached contexts. Mastering its usage significantly elevates your ability to communicate complex ideas in Korean with precision and authority.- 1Impersonal and Objective Reporting: This is its most common habitat. When reporting news, academic findings, or official announcements, using
-에 의해allows you to state facts objectively, attributing actions to institutions, groups, or abstract concepts rather than individual, personal agents.
- Example:
이번 연구 결과는 국제 학술지에 의해 발표되었습니다.(ibeon yeongu gyeolgwa-neun gukje haksoolji-e uihae balpyo-doeeotseumnida., The results of this study were announced by an international academic journal.)
- 1Legal and Administrative Language: In laws, regulations, contracts, and business documents, clarity and formal attribution are critical.
-에 의해is indispensable here for defining responsibilities, conditions, and protective measures.
- Example:
계약은 관련 법률에 의해 보호받습니다.(gyeyak-eun gwallyeon beomnyul-e uihae bohorbatseumnida., The contract is protected by relevant laws.)
- 1Scientific and Academic Writing: To maintain a scholarly tone and attribute findings, theories, or experiments to their sources (researchers, methodologies, phenomena).
- Example:
이 현상은 특정 유전자에 의해 설명될 수 있습니다.(i hyeonsang-eun teukjeong yujeonja-e uihae seolmyeong-doel su itseumnida., This phenomenon can be explained by a specific gene.)
- 1Identifying the Cause or Driving Force: When an action or state is directly resultant from an event, condition, or abstract force,
-에 의해clearly points to that cause.
- Example:
예상치 못한 사고에 의해 열차 운행이 중단되었습니다.(yesangchi mothan sago-e uihae yeolcha unhaeng-i jungdan-doeeotseumnida., Train operations were suspended due to an unexpected accident.)
- 1Passive Voice with Non-Human Agents or Authoritative Human Agents: As discussed, it pairs naturally with passive constructions. While casual passive might use
-에게,-에 의해is preferred when the agent is an institution, a concept, or a human group acting in an official capacity.
- Example:
이 도시는 오랜 역사에 의해 형성되었다.(i dosi-neun oraen yeoksa-e uihae hyeongseong-doeeotda., This city was formed by a long history.)
-에 의해 in formal Korean reflects a cultural emphasis on hierarchical structure, group agency, and the importance of official or established sources. It lends an air of seriousness and credibility, distancing the statement from personal opinion and rooting it in objective reality or collective decision-making.Common Mistakes
-에 의해 is a powerful tool for formal communication, misusing it can lead to awkward, unnatural, or even incorrect Korean. Be mindful of these common pitfalls:- 1Using it in Casual Conversation: This is the most prevalent and jarring mistake for learners.
-에 의해is fundamentally a formal, often written, expression. Employing it in everyday dialogue with friends, family, or even colleagues in an informal setting will sound overly stiff, unnatural, and almost robotic. It's akin to speaking in archaic English in a casual chat.
- Incorrect:
어제 친구에 의해 영화 봤어요.(eoje chingu-e uihae yeonghwa bwatseoyo.) – (Sounds like the friend was a force making you watch, not just that you watched with them.) - Correct (Casual):
어제 친구랑 영화 봤어요.(eoje chingu-rang yeonghwa bwatseoyo.) – I watched a movie with my friend yesterday. - Correct (Casual Passive):
친구에 의해 깜짝 파티를 받았어요.(chingu-e uihae kkamjjak pati-reul badatseoyo.) – I received a surprise party by my friend. (Still sounds stiff,친구가 깜짝 파티를 해줬어요.is much more natural).
- 1Confusing with
-로/으로(By Means Of): Both can translate to 'by', but their functions are distinct.
-로/으로: Indicates the tool, method, or means by which an action is performed. The focus is on the instrument.- Example:
기차로 여행했어요.(gicharo yeohaenghaesseoyo.) – I traveled by train (train is the means). -에 의해: Indicates the agent, cause, or driving force of an action, particularly in passive or formal contexts. The focus is on the initiator or origin.- Example:
새로운 정책에 의해 변화가 시작되었다.(saeroun jeongchaeg-e uihae byeonhwa-ga sijak-doeeotda.) – Change began by (due to) the new policy (policy is the cause/agent). - Distinction: You wouldn't say
기차에 의해 여행했어요.because a train is a tool, not an agent or cause in the formal sense. Similarly,새로운 정책으로 변화가 시작되었다.is acceptable but shifts the nuance slightly, making the policy more of a 'method' rather than the direct 'source' of the change.
- 1Confusing with
-에게/한테(By a Person/Animal): These particles are also used to mark agents in passive sentences, but they carry different implications.
-에게/한테: Used for human or animate agents in casual or general passive sentences.-한테is very informal,-에게is slightly more formal but still far from-에 의해.- Example:
아이에게 물렸어요.(ai-ege mullyeosseoyo.) – I was bitten by a child. -에 의해: Used for non-human agents (e.g., natural disasters, abstract concepts, institutions) or authoritative human agents (e.g., government, a board) in formal passive sentences.- Example:
정부에 의해 승인되었다.(jeongbu-e uihae seungin-doeeotda.) – It was approved by the government. - Key Difference:
에게/한테implies a more direct, often personal interaction or impact, while-에 의해maintains an objective, institutional, or detached tone. You would rarely use정부에게 승인되었다.for official approval.
- 1Misattributing Agency to Inanimate Objects (Incorrectly): While inanimate objects can be agents (e.g.,
태풍에 의해 피해가 발생했다.), they must genuinely be the driving force or cause. Don't use it for simple possession or location.
- Incorrect:
창문에 의해 책이 놓여있다.(changmun-e uihae chaeg-i nohyeoitda.) – (Sounds like the window caused the book to be placed, not just that it's by the window.) - Correct:
창문 옆에 책이 놓여있다.(changmun yeop-e chaeg-i nohyeoitda.) – The book is placed by the window.
Real Conversations
To truly grasp where and how -에 의해 fits into communication, it's essential to understand its natural habitat. This pattern is conspicuously absent from casual, everyday Korean conversations, text messages, or informal social media posts. Its presence immediately signals a shift to a more formal, serious, or institutional register.
Where you WILL find -에 의해:
- News Broadcasts and Articles: Journalists frequently use -에 의해 to report on events, policy changes, and scientific discoveries, maintaining an objective distance and attributing actions to official bodies or natural phenomena. This is common in both written news and spoken news reports.
- 새로운 법안이 국회에 의해 최종 통과되었습니다. (saeroun beoban-i gukhoe-e uihae choejong tonggwa-doeeotseumnida., A new bill has been finally passed by the National Assembly.)
- Academic Lectures and Papers: Researchers and scholars utilize -에 의해 to present findings, describe methodologies, and cite existing theories, emphasizing the scientific or logical basis of their work.
- 이 가설은 다양한 실험에 의해 검증될 필요가 있습니다. (i gaseol-eun dayanghan silheom-e uihae geomjeung-doel piryo-ga itseumnida., This hypothesis needs to be verified by various experiments.)
- Legal Documents and Official Statements: Contracts, laws, government announcements, and corporate policies demand precise language. -에 의해 is crucial for defining legal responsibilities and attributing actions to relevant parties.
- 회사의 모든 인사는 규정에 의해 처리됩니다. (hoesa-ui modeun insa-neun gyujeong-e uihae cheori-doemnida., All personnel matters of the company are processed by regulations.)
- Business Presentations and Reports: In a corporate setting, especially when presenting to senior management or external partners, using -에 의해 can lend gravitas and professionalism to your statements.
- 이번 프로젝트는 고객사의 요청에 의해 시작되었습니다. (ibeon peurojekteu-neun gogaeksa-ui yocheong-e uihae sijak-doeeotseumnida., This project was started at the request of the client company.)
- Formal Speech and Public Addresses: When a speaker wishes to convey a sense of authority, impartiality, or intellectual rigor, -에 의해 can be employed to structure arguments and attribute information formally.
- 우리의 미래는 우리 자신의 노력에 의해 결정될 것입니다. (uri-ui mirae-neun uri jasin-ui noryeog-e uihae gyeoljeong-doel geosimnida., Our future will be decided by our own efforts.)
Where you will NOT find -에 의해 (except for specific humorous or ironic effects):
- Casual chatting with friends: Avoid using it in texts like 친구가 나에게 의해 놀랐어 (my friend was surprised by me). This would sound completely unnatural. Instead, use 친구가 나 때문에 놀랐어 (my friend was surprised because of me) or 내가 친구를 놀라게 했어 (I surprised my friend).
- Informal social media posts: Unless making an intentionally grand or mock-official statement, this particle is out of place.
- Everyday conversations about personal experiences: For instance, if you want to say 'I was touched by the movie', you'd use 영화에 감동받았어요. (yeonghwa-e gamdong-batatseoyo.) or 영화가 나를 감동시켰어요. (yeonghwa-ga nareul gamdong-sikyeosseoyo.), rather than 영화에 의해 감동받았어요. (which sounds like the movie formally mandated your emotion).
The Adnominal Form -에 의한 in formal communication:
While -에 의해 itself is highly formal, its adnominal sibling, -에 의한, is quite common in formal written Korean, even in contexts slightly less rigid than legal documents. You'll see 전문가에 의한 분석 (analysis by experts), 정부에 의한 규제 (regulation by the government), or 환경 변화에 의한 영향 (impact due to environmental change) frequently in reports, academic abstracts, and official websites. It allows for concise noun phrases that attribute an action or characteristic.
Quick FAQ
- Q: What is the main difference between
-에 의해and-에 의해서?
Functionally, they are almost identical. Both mean 'by' or 'due to the agency of'. -에 의해서 includes the particle -서 which can subtly emphasize the means or process through which the action occurs. In practice, they are often interchangeable, though -에 의해서 might be slightly preferred in spoken formal contexts for its flow.
- Q: Is
-에 의해only used with passive verbs?
Predominantly, yes. Its natural pairing is with passive constructions to specify the agent. When it appears with active verbs, it usually implies that the subject acts based on, influenced by, or in response to the preceding noun, rather than the noun being a direct active agent itself.
- Q: Can I use
-에 의해with inanimate objects or abstract concepts as the agent?
Absolutely, and this is one of its key functions. It's very common to see it used with natural phenomena (태풍에 의해, by the typhoon), policies (정책에 의해, by policy), research (연구에 의해, by research), or laws (법률에 의해, by law).
- Q: Can I use it to say 'made by [Brand Name]' or 'produced by [Artist]'?
Yes, in formal contexts, especially for product descriptions, official credits, or museum labels. For example, 장인에 의해 제작된 도자기 (jangin-e uihae jejak-doen dojagi, Ceramics produced by an artisan) or 유명 화가에 의해 그려진 그림 (yumyeong hwaga-e uihae geuryeojin geurim, Painting drawn by a famous artist).
- Q: Is this grammar important for Korean proficiency exams like TOPIK?
Yes, very much so. As a B2 level grammar point, it's essential for both reading comprehension of formal texts and for producing sophisticated written responses in the TOPIK II exam, particularly in essays and long-form writing tasks.
- Q: How can I tell if I should use
-에 의해instead of-로/으로or-에게?
Consider the context and the nature of the agent:
- If the context is formal, objective, institutional, or academic, lean towards
-에 의해. - If the agent is a tool or method, use
-로/으로(펜으로 썼다, wrote with a pen). - If the agent is a human/animate being in a casual passive sentence, use
-에게or-한테(친구에게 선물 받았다, received a gift from a friend). - If the agent is a non-human entity or an authoritative human entity in a formal passive sentence, use
-에 의해.
- Q: Does using
-에 의해sound robotic or unnatural?
Only if misused in informal settings. In its appropriate formal context, it sounds perfectly natural, authoritative, and professional. It is the marker of precise and formal communication, not an artificial construct.
Formation Table
| Agent Noun | Particle | Passive Verb |
|---|---|---|
|
정부
|
에 의해
|
발표되었다
|
|
전문가
|
에 의해
|
검토되었다
|
|
바람
|
에 의해
|
움직였다
|
|
학생
|
에 의해
|
제출되었다
|
|
기계
|
에 의해
|
조립되었다
|
|
법
|
에 의해
|
금지되었다
|
Meanings
This particle marks the agent of a passive verb, functioning similarly to the English 'by' in passive constructions.
Agent of Passive Action
Identifies the person or entity performing the action in a passive sentence.
“그 법안은 국회에 의해 통과되었다.”
“모든 결정은 위원회에 의해 내려졌다.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Noun + 에 의해 + Passive
|
그는 경찰에 의해 체포되었다.
|
|
Negative
|
Noun + 에 의해 + 안/못 + Passive
|
그는 경찰에 의해 체포되지 않았다.
|
|
Past
|
Noun + 에 의해 + Passive-Past
|
그는 경찰에 의해 체포되었었다.
|
|
Future
|
Noun + 에 의해 + Passive-Future
|
그는 경찰에 의해 체포될 것이다.
|
Formality Spectrum
보고서는 관리자에 의해 작성되었습니다. (Office report)
보고서는 관리자가 작성했어요. (Office report)
보고서는 관리자가 썼어. (Office report)
관리자가 썼대. (Office report)
Passive Agent Structure
Agent
- Noun The doer
Marker
- 에 의해 By
Action
- Passive Verb The result
Examples by Level
그것은 나에 의해 만들어졌다.
It was made by me.
이 책은 작가에 의해 쓰였다.
This book was written by the author.
그 계획은 위원회에 의해 승인되었다.
The plan was approved by the committee.
모든 데이터는 컴퓨터에 의해 분석되었다.
All data was analyzed by the computer.
그 법안은 다수당에 의해 발의되었다.
The bill was proposed by the majority party.
이 현상은 중력에 의해 설명될 수 있다.
This phenomenon can be explained by gravity.
Easily Confused
Both mark agents/recipients.
Common Mistakes
나는 그에 의해 먹었다.
나는 그에 의해 먹혔다.
그는 나에 의해 주었다.
그것은 나에 의해 주어졌다.
친구에 의해 놀았다.
친구와 놀았다.
그것은 그에 의해 했다.
그것은 그에 의해 행해졌다.
Sentence Patterns
___은/는 ___에 의해 ___되었다.
Real World Usage
사건은 경찰에 의해 조사 중입니다.
이 결과는 실험에 의해 증명되었다.
공지는 팀장에 의해 전달되었습니다.
본 계약은 양측에 의해 서명되었다.
국가는 왕에 의해 통치되었다.
기기는 전력에 의해 작동된다.
Avoid in speech
Passive only
Academic writing
Objectivity
Smart Tips
Use -에 의해 to sound objective.
Look for -에 의해 to find the actor.
Use it to report actions.
Use it for data.
Pronunciation
Linking
The 'h' in 의해 is often silent or very soft.
Flat
Noun-에 의해 ->
Neutral, objective tone.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '에 의해' as 'A-by' (A-by-e). It's the agent 'by' the passive action.
Visual Association
Imagine a formal judge (the agent) standing next to a statue (the passive object). The judge is the one who 'by-ed' the statue.
Rhyme
In formal writing, don't be shy, use the agent with -에 의해.
Story
The king (agent) signed the decree. In the history book, it says: 'The decree was signed by the king.' In Korean, we write: '그 법령은 왕에 의해 서명되었다.'
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences about your day using passive voice and -에 의해.
Cultural Notes
Highly valued in thesis writing for objectivity.
Derived from the noun '의' (meaning) and '해' (doing).
Conversation Starters
이 프로젝트는 누구에 의해 시작되었나요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
그 책은 작가___ 쓰였다.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
그는 나에 의해 갔다.
작가님이 책을 썼다.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Can I use -에 의해 in casual speech?
A: 누가 이 건물을 설계했나요? B: ___.
법안 / 국회 / 통과되었다
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises그 책은 작가___ 쓰였다.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
그는 나에 의해 갔다.
작가님이 책을 썼다.
Match agent to verb.
Can I use -에 의해 in casual speech?
A: 누가 이 건물을 설계했나요? B: ___.
법안 / 국회 / 통과되었다
Score: /8
Practice Bank
8 exercises새로운 정책은 정부___ 발표되었습니다.
The winner was selected by the jury.
[기술에] [발전은] [이루어집니다] [의해]
Match the pairs:
이 도시는 태풍한테 파괴되었어요.
Choose the sentence about agency:
이 상은 위원회___ 수여됩니다.
Everything changed by her arrival.
Score: /8
FAQ (8)
No, it must be a passive verb.
No, it is too formal.
-에게 is for recipients, -에 의해 is for agents.
Yes, very common.
No, it is always -에 의해.
Yes, if it is obvious.
Yes, it is standard.
Because it requires understanding of formal registers.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
ni yotte
None.
by
Korean is more formal.
bei
Frequency.
von
Case usage.
par
Syntax.
por
Prepositional.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
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The Inference Ending: It looks like... (-나/는가 보다)
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Expressing Shock: -다니 (How Could...)
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