formed part of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formed part of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used as a verb phrase to mean that something was included or considered as part of something else. For example: "The new regulations formed part of the company's restructuring plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Zenobius picture formed part of the predella.

Harvard University

Mushrooms, of course, formed part of that experimentation.

The Guardian - Arts

Wrinkles formed part of their appeal, rather than undermining it.

The Guardian - Film

Their story formed part of a 1996 TV mini-series.

The Guardian

Under Augustus their territory formed part of Gallia Belgica.

Britannica

Ceatharlach formed part of the medieval lordship of Leinster.

Britannica

Cornwall once formed part of a vast mountain chain.

The Guardian - Books

Her mental health formed part of the case.

Independent

Magic also formed part of the official cult.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ridicule, too, formed part of Mr. Kennedy's arsenal.

The New York Times

It formed part of Urartu and later of Media.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "formed part of" when you want to clearly indicate that something was a component or element of a larger entity or concept. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Ensure you use the past tense "formed" when describing something that was previously a part of something else. Using the present tense "form" can create grammatical errors if the context implies a past event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formed part of" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something was an element or component of a larger entity or system. Ludwig's examples show its wide applicability across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

14%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "formed part of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe that something was a component of a larger whole. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use across diverse contexts. It is suitable for both formal and informal writing, with the caveat that the past tense "formed" is correctly used. Related phrases such as "was included in" offer subtle variations in meaning. The phrase is particularly common in news, encyclopedias and scientific publications, demonstrating its versatility in conveying information about structure and composition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

constituted a portion of

Replaces "formed" with "constituted" and "part" with "portion", emphasizing the composition of something.

was included in

Focuses on the inclusion aspect, simplifying the phrasing.

comprised a segment of

Uses "comprised" to indicate that something was made up of segments, altering the structure slightly.

contributed to

Highlights the contribution aspect, suggesting that something added to the whole.

was an element of

Emphasizes that something was a component, changing the vocabulary.

factored into

Implies that something was a factor in the overall makeup, using a different verb.

was integrated within

Focuses on integration, suggesting seamless incorporation.

belonged to

Expresses association or membership, altering the sentence structure.

was encompassed by

Highlights the inclusion aspect, emphasizing that something was fully covered.

figured in

Suggests that something played a role, changing the emphasis.

FAQs

How can I use "formed part of" in a sentence?

You can use "formed part of" to indicate that something was a component of a larger whole. For instance, "The island "formed part of" a larger archipelago" or "The agreement "formed part of" their negotiation strategy."

What are some alternatives to "formed part of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "was included in", "constituted a portion of", or "comprised a segment of", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "form part of" instead of "formed part of"?

While "form part of" is grammatically correct, it is in the present tense. Use ""formed part of"" when referring to a past event or state.

What's the difference between "formed part of" and "was a part of"?

"Formed part of" often implies a more integral or structural relationship, while "was a part of" is a more general statement of inclusion. The choice depends on the specific context and the degree of integration you want to emphasize.