are not founded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are not founded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the basis or foundation of an idea, belief, or organization, indicating that it lacks a solid basis. Example: "The claims made in the report are not founded on any credible evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Also, real interests and self-satisfaction cannot be found in "animal impulses" as such, because these impulses are not founded of necessity on respect for the person as an end in itself (PE 200).

SEP

"The right thing is to say, you have to prove these allegations are not founded.

The Guardian - Sport

"The conclusions of this report are not founded in reality," said a spokesman.

The Guardian

Officials must swiftly reject challenges that are not founded on credible personalized knowledge about individual voters, and they must remove volunteers who become overzealous.

The New York Times

What are called our red lines - that include economic red lines requiring unanimity on tax decisions and no federal fiscal policy - are not founded on dogma as some allege but on a concrete assessment of Britain's national interest and Britain and Europe's economic needs as we meet the challenges of the global economy.

The Guardian

That they should do so in a society whose racial lines of demarcation are not founded on the "one-drop rule" as in the United States suggests that quests for racial solidarity and uplift among African-descended peoples are not restricted to a particular state or society, and that there may be some commonalities across multi-racial societies in the Americas and elsewhere.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

The university was not founded until 1914.

The New York Times

Phenomenology was not founded; it grew.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Even this museum was not founded until 2004".

The New York Times - Arts

Its successor, the United Nations, was not founded until 1945.

The Economist

This nation was not founded by habitual groupthinkers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are not founded", ensure that you can clearly articulate the reasons why something lacks a valid basis. Provide counter-evidence or logical arguments to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "are not founded" when there is only a minor weakness in the basis of a claim. Reserve it for situations where the foundation is demonstrably absent or significantly flawed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not founded" functions as a negative copular verb phrase. It asserts that a subject lacks a basis or foundation, effectively denying the validity or justification of something. Ludwig examples show it used to refute claims and challenge assumptions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are not founded" is a grammatically correct expression used to indicate that something lacks a solid basis or justification. According to Ludwig, this phrase functions as a negative assertion, primarily employed in contexts of disagreement or refutation. While adaptable to various registers, it is most frequently encountered in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. When using this expression, remember to ensure there's a valid reason why something lacks a foundation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack foundation

Rephrases the concept to focus on the absence of a base.

are baseless

Replaces "founded" with a direct synonym emphasizing the lack of a base or foundation.

are groundless

Similar to "baseless", but may suggest a lack of real-world connection.

are unsupported

Highlights the absence of evidence or backing for a claim or idea.

are without merit

Indicates a lack of value or justification.

are not justified

Indicates that there's no adequate reason or basis for something.

are not predicated on

More formal way of saying something isn't based on something else.

are specious

Suggests that something appears correct but is actually false.

are untenable

Implies that something cannot be defended or maintained.

are fallacious

Indicates a logical error or flaw in reasoning.

FAQs

How can I use "are not founded" in a sentence?

You can use "are not founded" to express that an idea, claim, or theory lacks a solid basis or justification. For example: "The allegations "are baseless" and are not founded on any factual evidence."

What are some alternatives to "are not founded"?

Alternatives include "are baseless", "lack foundation", or "are unsupported", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "are not founded" or "are not based"?

"Are not founded" can sound slightly more formal, suggesting a deeper or more fundamental lack of grounding than "are not based". However, the difference is subtle, and both phrases are generally appropriate in formal writing.

What is the difference between "are not founded" and "are unfounded"?

While similar, "are not founded" emphasizes the absence of a base or groundwork, while "are unfounded" often highlights the lack of evidence or verification. Both are closely related in meaning, but using "are unfounded" often suggests a lack of investigation or proof.