actually founded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "actually founded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the reality or truth of the founding of an organization, institution, or concept. Example: "The company was actually founded in 1995, despite popular belief that it started in 2000."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

This month, the Newseum celebrated its first birthday on Pennsylvania Avenue, though it was actually founded in 1997, in Rosslyn, Virginia.

The Guardian - Tech

And a parting thought: if such a potent moment is actually founded on thin air, can we be forgiven for wondering about the whole film?

The Guardian - Opinion

We initially referred to Paddy Power as the founder of the betting firm that shares his name, the firm itself was actually founded by his father.

The Guardian

But the orchestra as we know it today was actually founded in 1870, so depending on how you look at it, it is either one of the world's oldest orchestras or nearly 30 years younger than the New York Philharmonic.

The New York Times - Arts

It turns out that that Femen, the Ukrainian feminist group known for semi-naked media stunts, slogan "Our mission is protest, our weapons are bare breasts" was actually founded by a man, Victor Svyatski.

The Guardian - Opinion

How do you convey this do-good culture beyond yourselves? A. We have a volunteer program called Hearts of Montage, actually founded and led by employees, open to all staff members, their family and friends.

The New York Times

Lean was actually founded by former Labor party president and now New South Wales Labor senator Jenny McAllister and the former NSW Labor premier Kristina Keneally to promote climate and environmental policy within the ALP.

The Guardian

FS favourite People Tree (which was actually founded in Japan) is donating 10% of all sales to the Red Cross, as well as supporting Second Harvest, a food bank helping in Japan.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

(Claudia La Rocco) ODC/DANCE (Tuesday through Thursday) This San Francisco company was actually founded at Oberlin College in Ohio, hence its name, which stands for Oberlin Dance Collective.

The New York Times - Arts

Far to the east, the eternal rivalry between Ukraine and Russia will be played out on the soccer field as Zenit St . Petersburgtravels to Donetsk, in the eastern part of the country, to play Shakhtar's Pitmen (the city, a mining center, was actually founded by a Welshman).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Josh Ryan-Collinseniorioresearcherer, monetary reform, New Economics Foundation (Nef), has spent years researching – and, in the case of the Brixton Pound, actually founding – community currencies.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "actually founded" to clarify or correct misconceptions about the origins or establishment of something. It adds emphasis to the truth.

Common error

Avoid using "actually founded" in every sentence where you mention the establishment of something. Overusing "actually" can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Use it strategically to highlight a contrast or clarification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "actually founded" primarily functions as a modifier to emphasize the factual basis of something's establishment or origin. It serves to clarify or correct potential misunderstandings. Ludwig confirms that the expression is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

9%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "actually founded" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, especially in news and media, to emphasize the true or verified establishment of something. According to Ludwig, it's used to clarify or correct any misconceptions about its origin. To avoid redundancy, use it strategically when clarification is needed. Alternatives include "truly established" or "genuinely created", which can provide similar emphasis with slightly different nuances. Ludwig's examples highlight the various contexts in which this phrase appears, reinforcing its versatility and correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

truly established

Emphasizes the genuine nature of the establishment.

genuinely created

Highlights the authentic creation of something.

in reality, established

Adds a layer of contrasting a perceived reality with the actual establishment.

factually established

Focuses on the factual accuracy of the founding.

verifiably founded

Implies that the founding can be proven or confirmed.

in fact, originated

Similar to "actually", adds an element of surprise or correction about the origin.

legitimately established

Highlights the lawful or proper establishment.

authentically founded

Emphasizes the real and non-artificial nature of the founding.

officially created

Stresses the formal or recognized nature of the creation.

it was really founded

Simple way to emphasize and clarify it's origin.

FAQs

How can I use "actually founded" in a sentence?

You can use "actually founded" to clarify the true origins of an organization, concept, or movement. For example: "The museum was "actually founded" in 1920, despite being popularly associated with the 1950s".

What are some alternatives to "actually founded"?

Alternatives include phrases like "truly established", "genuinely created", or "factually established", which can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "actually" with "founded"?

While not grammatically incorrect, using "actually founded" can sometimes be seen as redundant if the context already implies factual accuracy. However, it is useful when correcting a common misconception.

Which is better, "actually founded" or "officially founded"?

"Actually founded" emphasizes the reality, while "officially founded" highlights the formal establishment. The best choice depends on whether you want to stress the truth or the formality of the founding.