Degree usually appears in fixed expressions such as degree of or to a degree. By degree is generally nonstandard unless degree is a separate noun phrase, while in degree is formal and limited.
The standard pattern is degree of + quality or amount. In degree appears mainly in formal comparisons such as different in degree, not in kind. By degree is generally not idiomatic; the common expression is by degrees, meaning gradually.
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
Use degree of to talk about how much of a quality, feeling, or condition exists.
To a degree means partly or somewhat.
In degree is mainly used in formal expressions comparing extent rather than type.
The idiomatic phrase is by degrees, with the plural form degrees, meaning gradually over time.
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
The fixed expression for gradual change uses the plural form.
✕ The situation improved by degree. ✓ The situation improved by degrees.For normal statements about amount, use degree of.
✕ a high in degree difficulty ✓ a high degree of difficultyDegree usually takes of before the quality or condition.
✕ a degree uncertainty ✓ a degree of uncertaintyIn degree sounds formal and is limited to comparison contexts.
✕ The project succeeded in degree. ✓ The project succeeded to a degree.Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.
It is generally not idiomatic in modern English. The usual expression is by degrees.
It appears mainly in formal comparisons such as different in degree, not in kind.
It refers to the amount, level, or intensity of something.
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