Discussion of 由 [yóu] (be done) by; via; from; by means of; due to; to obey, to follow; (lit.) to abide by - Trainchinese

1 - When 由 is used as a preposition meaning “(be done) by“, it is not used in the same way as 被. 由 put on an emphasis on the responsible party of the action or event. For example: Example 1. 这项重大工程由他负责，我放心。 [phr] I felt relieved that he was responsible for this important project. Example 2. 这次的事故是由他酒后开车所致。 [phr] This accident is caused by his drunk-driving. Example 3. 这家公司由他经营 [phr] this company is operated by him In the three sentences above, we cannot use 被 to replace 由. 2 - 被 vs 由 被 and 由 both mean “to be done (by...)“, but they are different. 1. Sentences with 由 emphasize who is responsible for the action. The action itself has a strong sense of purpose and is usually arranged or planned; 2. Sentences with 被 emphasize the result that comes from the influence of the action. The action itself does not have a strong sense of purpose, meaning that it is usually not planned or pre-arranged. Examples of 由: 这项重大工程由他负责，我放心。 [phr] I felt relieved that he was responsible for this important project. 这次的事故是由他酒后开车所致。 [phr] This accident is caused by his drunk-driving. 这家公司由他经营。 [phr] This company is operated by him. Examples of 被: 我的奶酪蛋糕被你吃了。 [phr] My cheesecake was eaten by you. 我的报纸被风刮跑了。 [phr] My newspaper was blown away by the wind. 3 - How is 由 (yóu) used in a sentence?

在‘由’作为介词，意指‘（由...）完成’的用法中，其使用方式与‘被’大相径庭。‘由’着重强调行为的责任主体。例如：

示例一：该项重大工程由他负责，我感到释然。[phr] 我对由他负责该项重要工程感到安心。

示例二：此次事故源于他酒后驾车。[phr] 此事故的发生归因于他的酒后驾车。

示例三：该公司由他经营管理。[phr] 此公司之运营权掌握于他。

在上述三个例句中，无法用‘被’替代‘由’。

‘被’与‘由’均意为‘（由...）完成’，但二者有所区别。一、使用‘由’的句子强调行为的责任主体。该行为本身具有较强的目的性，通常是有计划或安排的；二、使用‘被’的句子强调由行为所引起的结果。行为本身不具有强烈的目的性，意味着它通常不是计划或预先安排的。

‘由’的用法示例：该项重大工程由他负责，我感到释然。[phr] 我对由他负责该项重要工程感到安心。

此次事故源于他酒后驾车。[phr] 此事故的发生归因于他的酒后驾车。

该公司由他经营管理。[phr] 此公司之运营权掌握于他。

‘被’的用法示例：我的奶酪蛋糕被你吃了。[phr] 我的奶酪蛋糕被你食用。

我的报纸被风刮跑了。[phr] 我的报纸被风吹走。

‘由’在句子中的用法：

- 这项重大工程由他负责，我感到释然。

- 此事故的发生归因于他的酒后驾车。

- 此公司之运营权掌握于他。