be invented by a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be invented by a" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the origin or creation of something, typically in a passive construction. Example: "The new technology will be invented by a team of innovative engineers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But it probably won't be invented by a man.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Naturally, it was invented by a gardener.

The New York Times

"This recipe was invented by a monk," Ms. Yip offered.

The New York Times - Food

"I think shame was invented by a man," she states.

Independent

After all, hadn't sci-fi been invented by a woman: Mary Shelley?

Independent

The Michelin Guide, after all, was invented by a tire company to encourage road trips.

The New Yorker

Talk story about the taxi card machines which were invented by a Russian named Debrowsky.

The New Yorker

Russian chauvinism took over, and anything that was worth inventing was claimed to have been invented by a Russian.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This is the place brunch was invented, by a certain Mme.

The New York Times - Arts

Kellogg's cornflakes were invented by a man who wanted to reduce sexual desire.

The Guardian - Books

The ACT was invented by a member of the College Board, the organization that runs the SAT.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this construction to credit the inventor or the entity responsible for the creation.

Common error

Avoid attributing an invention to the wrong person or entity. Double-check your facts and sources before stating that something "was invented by a" specific individual or group.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be invented by a" functions as a passive construction, attributing the creation of something to an individual or group. Ludwig AI shows this structure is used to highlight the origin of an invention.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be invented by a" is a grammatically sound passive construction used to attribute the creation of something to a specific inventor or entity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is most commonly found in news, encyclopedic, and scientific contexts. While the phrase is relatively rare, it serves the important function of providing credit and historical context to inventions. When using this phrase, clarity and accuracy are key to avoid misattribution. For alternative phrasing, consider using "be created by" or "be designed by" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be created by

Replaces "invented" with "created", focusing on the act of bringing something into existence.

be designed by

Focuses on the planning and conceptualization aspect of invention.

be developed by

Highlights the process of improvement and refinement involved in invention.

be pioneered by

Emphasizes the initial and groundbreaking nature of the invention.

be conceived by

Highlights the origin of the idea or concept behind the invention.

be brought into existence by

A more formal and emphatic way of saying "be created by".

be originated by

Focuses on the starting point or source of the invention.

be authored by

Implies a personal creation, often used for artistic or intellectual works.

be formulated by

Suggests a structured or systematic process of invention.

be crafted by

Emphasizes the skill and artistry involved in the invention.

FAQs

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

The phrase "be invented by a" is used to indicate the creator or inventor of something. For example, "The printing press was invented by a German goldsmith named Johannes Gutenberg".

What can I say instead of "be invented by a"?

You can use alternatives like "be created by", "be designed by", or "be developed by" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "was invented by a" or "invented by"?

"Was invented by a" is a passive construction that emphasizes the invention itself. "Invented by" is an active construction that emphasizes the inventor. Both are grammatically correct, but the passive voice is more common when the focus is on the invention. For example, "The lightbulb was invented by Thomas Edison" (passive) vs. "Thomas Edison invented the lightbulb" (active).

Is it always necessary to specify who something "was invented by a"?

No, it is not always necessary. If the inventor is unknown or irrelevant to the context, you can omit this information. For example, "The wheel is believed to have been invented in ancient Mesopotamia".