be formed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be formed by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the process or method through which something is created or constructed. Example: "The sculpture will be formed by combining various materials such as clay and metal."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The ensemble will be formed by volunteers from the orchestra interested in contemporary music.

The New York Times

The centrepiece of the festivities will be formed by an ambitious art installation.

The Guardian

The new coalition will be formed by five pro-western parties.

The Guardian

Planets are thought to be formed by dust and gas left over from a star's birth.

The New York Times - Science

A very uniform wall thickness can be formed by this process.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Such effectors may also be formed by enzymatic reactions in apparently unrelated pathways.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A black hole can be formed by the death of a massive star.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This may be formed by the opposition Conservatives, or Mr Martin may scrape back.

The Economist

"An administration could then be formed by the voluntary agreement of the parties concerned.

The Guardian

The second observation is that a 3c,2e bond can be formed by three boron atoms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It could be formed by heads of national governments, acting together.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be formed by" when you want to emphasize the agent or process that brings something into existence. For example, "The canyon was formed by the river over millions of years."

Common error

Avoid using "be formed by" when active voice is more direct and concise. Instead of "The committee will be formed by the manager", try "The manager will form the committee".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be formed by" functions as a passive construction, indicating the agent or method through which something is created or constituted. It is a common way to express how something comes into being, as demonstrated by numerous Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be formed by" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction to indicate the agent or process of creation. As evidenced by Ludwig, it appears across diverse fields like science, news, and encyclopedias, suggesting its versatility and wide acceptance. While alternatives like "be created by" or "arise from" exist, "be formed by" distinctly emphasizes the causal factor in the formation process. It's important to use this phrase intentionally, especially when the active voice may offer a more direct and impactful statement. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, making it a reliable choice for formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be created through

Focuses on the method or process of creation.

be generated by

Suggests a process of production or origination.

be constituted of

Emphasizes the components that make up the whole.

be composed of

Similar to "be constituted of", emphasizing components.

be developed through

Emphasizes gradual growth or evolution.

arise from

Highlights the origin or cause of something.

result from

Indicates a consequence or outcome.

originate from

Focuses on the initial source or beginning.

be assembled from

Highlights the act of putting components together.

be manufactured by

Specific to industrial production processes.

FAQs

How can I use "be formed by" in a sentence?

The phrase "be formed by" indicates the agent or process responsible for the creation of something. For example, "The coalition will "be formed by" several political parties" or "The sculpture was "be formed by" combining different materials".

What are some alternatives to "be formed by"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "be created by", "be made by", "result from", or "originate from".

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "form"?

Whether to use active or passive voice depends on the focus. Use the active voice (e.g., "The river formed the canyon") when the actor is important. Use the passive voice ("The canyon was "be formed by" the river") when the object or the action itself is more important.

What's the difference between "be formed by" and "be composed of"?

"Be "be formed by"" indicates the process or agent that created something, while "be composed of" describes the elements or components that constitute something. For example, "The band was "be formed by" two musicians" vs "The band is be composed of a guitarist, a bassist, and a drummer".