discovered by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "discovered by" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It typically follows a subject and describes who or what discovered something. Example: The ancient ruins were discovered by a team of archaeologists during their excavation of the site.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His body was discovered by his flatmates.

Independent

The library was discovered by accident.

The New Yorker

The victim was discovered by his mother.

The New York Times

It was discovered by me in 1914".

Independent

The nanostructures were discovered by accident.

The New York Times - Science

This field was discovered by Mariner 10.

The Economist

Sometimes the aquifers are discovered by drilling.

The New York Times

He used actinomycetes discovered by Dr. Waksman.

The New York Times - Science

discovered by stoners".

The New Yorker

She was discovered by chance.

The Guardian - Books

Discovered by neighbors, she survived.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "discovered by" to clearly indicate who or what made a finding, giving credit or specifying the method of discovery.

Common error

Avoid replacing the passive "was discovered by" with an active construction when the focus should remain on the discovery itself, not the discoverer, unless re-writing adds valuable context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "discovered by" functions as a passive construction, indicating the agent that performed the act of discovery. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Examples include, "The library was discovered by accident." or "He was discovered by a neighbor the next day."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "discovered by" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to attribute the finding or revelation of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used across various contexts. It commonly appears in "news & media" and "science", and the frequency of use is classified as "very common". While alternative phrases like "revealed by" or "uncovered by" exist, "discovered by" is a direct and effective way to specify the agent of discovery. Remember to use the passive voice thoughtfully to maintain the focus on the discovery, not the discoverer.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncovered by

Focuses on revealing something hidden or previously unknown, similar to discovering something.

revealed by

Emphasizes the act of making something known, often after it was concealed.

brought to light by

Highlights the act of making something public or known, especially something previously secret.

found by

A more general term indicating the act of locating something.

identified by

Focuses on recognizing or establishing what something is.

detected by

Implies using specific methods or instruments to find something.

ascertained by

Highlights the process of finding something out for certain, often through investigation.

determined by

Focuses on establishing something definitively after consideration or investigation.

recognized by

Emphasizes the act of acknowledging or noticing something.

unveiled by

Suggests a dramatic or formal revealing of something.

FAQs

How is "discovered by" used in a sentence?

The phrase "discovered by" is used to indicate who or what found or revealed something. For example, "The new planet was "discovered by" amateur astronomers."

What are some alternatives to "discovered by"?

You can use alternatives like "uncovered by", "revealed by", or "identified by" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "discovered by" or "found by"?

While both ""discovered by"" and "found by" are correct, "discovered by" often implies a more intentional or significant finding than "found by", which can be more casual.

What's the difference between "discovered by" and "invented by"?

"Discovered by" means to find something that already exists, while "invented by" means to create something new. You discover a new species, but you invent a new machine.