developed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "developed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something or someone that has progressed or grown in complexity or sophistication, or to something that has been made by someone through careful planning or effort. For example, "The company has developed a new type of software to improve efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"There is... a total lack of clarity as to how a government would proceed to unravel a relationship that has developed in complexity over more than 40 years.

The Guardian

As well as a keynote speech from the government's adviser on big society, Lord Wei, delegates will also hear first hand accounts of how other local government managers are implementing big society in their councils and the best practice they have developed.

The Guardian

He developed the skill to climb difficult walls without ropes, relying on a small chute on his back in case he fell.

The Guardian

Round it developed a penumbra of specialist spinning and weaving towns, from Stockport in the south to Bury and Bolton in the north.

The Guardian

The thought of having to network for another month, to meet just another 20 people felt time intensive so I developed a referral system which encouraged people I knew, and trusted, to refer their single friends to me.

The Guardian

As the cracker developed, so did the mottos.

The Guardian

The youngest of five children, Musharaf says he developed a stammer very suddenly when he was five.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Speaking in Washington, Osborne said that the turmoil in the world's financial markets meant there was now "a far greater sense of urgency" and mounting pressure on Europe from the G20 group of developed and developing nations.

The Guardian - Business

"In this fast-changing world, China and the EU, as the biggest developing country and the biggest bloc of developed countries in the world, share common interests and have a greater need for each other".

The Guardian

To him, it seemed that tax avoidance and tax havens were a real impediment to allowing developing countries to function properly, and also a moral issue for companies in the developed world; for the Jersey-born Christensen, paying a fair amount of tax was the duty of any good citizen.

The Guardian - Business

Industrial nations can at best give a developing country a shallow surface insight into their know-how, and even then only in the context of foreign investment deals in which developed countries that host foreign direct investment inflows skilfully negotiate and secure such agreements, and have skilled workforces to absorb and expand on such prowess.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "developed" to showcase growth over time or progress made in a particular area to add depth and context to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "developed" as a replacement for "has developed" or "have developed" in the present perfect tense. For example, instead of writing "The company developed innovative solutions", write "The company has developed innovative solutions" to correctly indicate an action completed at an unspecified time in the past.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "developed" is to act as the past participle of the verb "develop", often used in passive constructions or to form perfect tenses. It can also function as an adjective, describing something that is mature, advanced, or not primitive. According to Ludwig AI, the word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "developed" functions as a versatile term, primarily serving as the past participle of "develop" or as an adjective signifying advancement or maturity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable in English writing. Its frequency across diverse sources—particularly news, business, and scientific contexts—underscores its neutral register and broad communicative utility. When using "developed", consider alternatives such as "advanced" or "evolved" to achieve nuanced expression, while also avoiding common errors like misusing the term in present perfect tense constructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advanced

Focuses on the progression to a higher level of skill or complexity.

evolved

Emphasizes gradual change and adaptation over time.

progressed

Highlights forward movement or improvement.

cultivated

Implies careful nurturing and growth.

established

Indicates something brought into existence and firmly set in place.

fashioned

Suggests creating or shaping something, often with skill.

generated

Focuses on the creation or production of something.

formulated

Emphasizes the creation of a plan, strategy, or idea.

refined

Highlights the improvement and polishing of something already existing.

perfected

Implies reaching the highest possible standard or quality.

FAQs

How do I use "developed" in a sentence?

"Developed" can function as a past participle of the verb develop, or as an adjective. For example: "The software was developed by a team of engineers" (past participle); "This is a developed nation" (adjective).

What can I say instead of "developed"?

You can use alternatives like "advanced", "evolved", or "progressed" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "developed country" or "developing country"?

"Developed country" refers to a nation with a high level of industrialization and income, while "developing country" refers to a nation working towards that level. The choice depends on the specific country you are describing.

What is the difference between "developed" and "created"?

"Developed" implies gradual growth or improvement over time, while "created" suggests bringing something entirely new into existence. For example, a skill is often "developed", whereas a product is "created".