I was founding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was founding" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct form would typically be "I was founding" if referring to the act of establishing something in the past, but it is rarely used in this way. Example: "I was founding a new organization dedicated to environmental conservation."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He was also a pioneering supporter when we launched British Journalism Review, of which I was founding editor, in 1989.

The Guardian

Anne Hastings was an enormous help to me when I was founding OI Haiti in Jacmel.

Huffington Post

JMS: I was founding artistic director of the Nevada Shakespeare Company (NSC).

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The Dramatic Association of Georgetown College, renamed the Mask and Bauble Dramatic Society after World War I, was founded in 1852, and is itself the oldest surviving student dramatic society in America.

Wikipedia

Id was founded in 1991 by five refugees from a software firm in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Forbes

"I'm founding the company so that the focus now will be on my work," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

"All that Marcello needs to do is go to Silvio and tell him: 'Silvio, I'm going to Guinea-Bissau': explain everything to him … 'I'm founding a soccer school for the kids,'" Alberto Dell'Utri commented.

The Guardian

But as Dad used to say, "When they come for our nukes…." That is why today I am founding the Nuclear Retaliation Association to defend the sovereign right of every nation on the planet to engulf that planet in a hellish inferno.

The New Yorker

The key phrase: "I know it was founded under God".

Huffington Post

I feel sometimes like I am founded on those things and that regret and shame are almost institutionalised in me.

The Guardian - Books

But I think it is founded on a basic mistake, a misunderstanding of what the argument inside the party was about during the crisis - not ideology, but tactics.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the establishment of something, use "I was establishing" or "I was creating" for improved clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using the present participle "founding" directly after "was" unless you specifically intend to describe an ongoing process in the past. Instead, opt for "establishing" or "creating" to convey the intended meaning effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was founding" attempts to describe the act of establishing something. Grammatically, it is not standard English. As Ludwig AI points out, the present participle is often incorrect in this context. It would be more appropriate to use "I was establishing" or "I was creating".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was founding" is grammatically unconventional and rarely used in standard English. As Ludwig AI indicates, alternative phrasing such as "I was establishing" or "I was creating" is recommended for improved clarity and correctness. While the phrase appears in various contexts, including News & Media and Science, its infrequent use and grammatical awkwardness suggest avoiding it in formal writing. The provided examples, though limited, highlight contexts where establishing or initiating something is intended. Opting for more standard phrasing ensures effective communication and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was establishing

Emphasizes a more formal and structured approach to setting up an organization or system.

I was creating

Focuses on the act of bringing something new into existence, often highlighting innovation.

I was initiating

Highlights the starting point or beginning of a project or organization.

I was launching

Suggests a public introduction or start, often used for businesses or products.

I was forming

Implies shaping or structuring something that didn't previously exist in that form.

I was setting up

A more informal way to describe the act of arranging and preparing for a new venture.

I was pioneering

Highlights the innovative and groundbreaking nature of the establishment.

I spearheaded the foundation of

Highlights leadership in creating and establishing something new.

I was instrumental in the creation of

Indicates a significant role in the development and establishment.

I played a key role in establishing

Focuses on one's important involvement in the founding process.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically sound alternative to "I was founding"?

Alternatives such as "I was establishing" or "I was creating" are grammatically more sound and widely accepted.

When is it appropriate to use the word "founding"?

The term "founding" is generally used as an adjective (e.g., "founding member") or in the gerund form (e.g., "the founding of the company").

Is there a difference between "I was establishing" and "I was founding"?

While both suggest the start of something, "I was establishing" implies a more structured and formal approach than "I was founding", which is less common and often grammatically awkward.

How can I use "founding" correctly in a sentence?

You can use "founding" correctly by saying "I was involved in the "founding of" the organization" or "I served as a founding member".