Word for word or word by word?
Do you say, "word for word" or "word by word"?
If both are possible, do they mean the same thing?
If not, when should use each of them?
Would you please give me some examples?
Thank you
Top answer
"word for word" is an idiomatic expression that means "exactly as spoken/written", used in relation to repeating or transcribing something that someone has said. For example, "I wrote down what he said word for word" or "This is a word-for-word translation". "word by word" is not a specific idiomatic expression but could be used to mean "one word at a time".
- "word for word" is an idiomatic expression that means "exactly as spoken/written", used in relation to repeating or transcribing something that someone has said.
- For example, "I wrote down what he said word for word" or "This is a word-for-word translation".
- "word by word" is not a specific idiomatic expression but could be used to mean "one word at a time".
- For example, "Slowly, word by word, I completed the crossword puzzle".
- However, search results suggest that some people use "word by word" to mean the same as "word for word".
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"word for word" is an idiomatic expression that means "exactly as spoken/written", used in relation to repeating or transcribing something that someone has said. For example, "I wrote down what he said word for word" or "This is a word-for-word translation".
"word by word" is not a specific idiomatic expression but could be used to mean "one word at a time". For example, "Slowly, word by
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