are founded on

USAGE SUMMARY

"are founded on" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in written English.
It is often used in the context of something being established based on certain principles or ideas. For example: "The policies of our organization are founded on fairness and equality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The laws in Sudan are founded on a 'women-are-the-devil' mentality," Osman said.

The Guardian

They are founded on laws.

The New York Times

But all human transactions are founded on such nice distinctions.

Independent

Religions are founded on a glimpse of a transcendent something.

The New York Times

He does not mince words, but his comments are founded on strong analysis".

The New York Times

It's not just that I disagree – it's that these arguments are founded on caricature.

The Guardian - Opinion

Biology and the other sciences are founded on the use of the scientific method.

The New York Times

"Many of them are founded on good science," he said, "but there are some hidden assumptions.

The New York Times - Science

The hopes of the European Union are founded on the Single Currency.

The New Yorker

His Only the Brave Foundation is philanthropic, but he says the African projects are founded on good business sense.

The New York Times

Notions that the Olympics began much earlier than 776 bc are founded on myth, not historical evidence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are founded on" when you want to emphasize the underlying principles, beliefs, or basis upon which something is established or operates. It adds a sense of legitimacy and permanence.

Common error

Ensure that the subject of the sentence is clear when using the passive voice construction "are founded on". Ambiguous subjects can weaken the sentence's clarity. For example, instead of saying "Mistakes are founded on bad decisions" be more specific: "The company's errors are founded on bad management decisions".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are founded on" functions as a passive construction indicating the underlying basis or principles upon which something is established. It is commonly used to highlight the foundational elements that support a concept, organization, or belief system. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are founded on" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe the basis or principles upon which something is established. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and frequently used phrase across various domains. Predominantly found in scientific, news, and encyclopedic content, "are founded on" signifies a formal tone and emphasizes the foundational elements of a subject. Consider alternatives like "are based on" or "are rooted in" to subtly adjust the emphasis of your writing. Remember to maintain clarity by ensuring the subject of the sentence is well-defined, and leverage this phrase to imbue your writing with legitimacy and a sense of established principles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are based on

Focuses on the underlying principles or evidence, similar to 'founded', but perhaps less about initial establishment and more about ongoing reliance.

are predicated on

Implies a necessary condition or assumption, making it a stronger statement of dependence.

are rooted in

Suggests a deeper, more fundamental origin or connection.

are grounded in

Similar to 'rooted in', but can also suggest a practical or realistic basis.

are built upon

Emphasizes the process of construction and development based on something else.

are contingent upon

Highlights the dependence of something on specific conditions or events.

derive from

Indicates that something originates or comes from a particular source.

stem from

Similar to 'derive from', suggesting an origin or cause.

originate from

Focuses on the beginning or starting point of something.

are constructed from

Highlights the elements and process involved in creating something.

FAQs

How can I use "are founded on" in a sentence?

The phrase "are founded on" indicates the basis or principles upon which something is established. For instance, "The company's values are founded on integrity and respect".

What are some alternatives to using "are founded on"?

You could use phrases like "are based on", "are predicated on", or "are rooted in" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice with "are founded on"?

While "are founded on" is in the passive voice, it's often appropriate when the focus is on what something is based on, rather than who founded it. Using the active voice might shift the emphasis unnecessarily. An example: "The school's teaching methods "are founded on" the belief that every child can succeed".

What's the difference between "are founded on" and "are based on"?

While both phrases indicate a foundation or basis, "are founded on" often implies a more deliberate act of establishing something on specific principles, whereas "are based on" can be a more general statement about the source of something.