be initiated by

USAGE SUMMARY

"be initiated by" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It means to start or begin something, often with someone as the cause or instigator. Example: The project's success was ultimately be initiated by the hard work and dedication of the team members.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

THE BOTTOM LINE Asthma attacks can be initiated by thunder.

The New York Times

An investigation may be initiated by order of the Department.

Cornell University

This should be initiated by utility commissions across the nation.

The Economist

Withdrawal could be initiated by the president even sooner if changed conditions warranted it.

The New York Times

Such recalls can be initiated by the agency or the automaker.

The New York Times

But Mayor Delfino said that raises must be initiated by the Common Council.

The New York Times

Such a mechanism might be initiated by a small group of countries and expand over time.

The New York Times

But those talks have to be initiated by the member state, the UK government.

The Guardian

To practice Transcendental Meditation, a person must first be initiated by a teacher.

Britannica

The process can be initiated by the Planning Department, community groups or developers.

The New York Times

And divorce no matter the age group, the researchers note, tends to be initiated by women.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be initiated by", ensure the agent or cause of the initiation is clearly identified to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "be initiate by" instead of "be initiated by". The correct past participle form 'initiated' is crucial for grammatical accuracy in the passive voice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be initiated by" functions as a passive construction indicating the action of starting or beginning something, with the focus on the entity that is acted upon rather than the actor. Ludwig shows numerous examples across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

31%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be initiated by" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate that something is started or caused by a specific agent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various domains including science, news media, and academia. While alternatives like "be started by" exist, "be initiated by" carries a slightly more formal tone. Remember to use the correct past participle form ('initiated') and clearly identify the agent to avoid ambiguity. By understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate register, you can effectively incorporate "be initiated by" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be started by

This alternative uses a more common verb, "start", for "initiate", resulting in a slightly more informal tone.

be triggered by

Focuses on the causal aspect, suggesting that something is set off or activated by a specific trigger.

be commenced by

Uses a more formal verb, "commence", which is similar to "initiate" but can sound more ceremonious.

be begun by

Similar to "be started by" but slightly more formal. The focus remains on the act of beginning.

be prompted by

Highlights the reason or motivation behind the initiation, suggesting a stimulus.

be caused by

Emphasizes the direct causal relationship between the initiator and the event.

be originated by

Highlights the source or origin of the initiation, focusing on where it comes from.

be activated by

Suggests a process is made active or functional by something, often in a technical or biological context.

be established by

Implies something is brought into existence or set up by an agent.

be undertaken by

Shifts the focus to the responsibility and action of carrying out the initiation.

FAQs

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

Use "be initiated by" to indicate that something is started or caused by someone or something else. For example, "The investigation was initiated by the police department".

What are some alternatives to "be initiated by"?

You can use alternatives such as "be started by", "be triggered by", or "be caused by" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "be initiated by" and "be started by"?

"Be initiated by" is often perceived as more formal than "be started by", although they both essentially mean the same thing. The choice depends on the context and desired tone.

Is it correct to say "was initiate by" instead of "was initiated by"?

No, "was initiate by" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "was initiated by", using the past participle of "initiate".