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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
founded by
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase 'founded by' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used when referring to the origin of a company, organization, team, or institution. For example, "Google was founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1998."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Formal & Business
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
59 human-written examples
But: founded by a pirate?
News & Media
Darktrace was founded by Cambridge mathematicians.
News & Media
The TDP was founded by one.
News & Media
Founded by British expatriates in 1899.
News & Media
Instagram was founded by Stanford graduates.
News & Media
You were founded by pirates.
News & Media
Utah was founded by Mormons.
News & Media
The Progeria Research Foundation was founded by his parents.
News & Media
It was founded by my mother's family".
News & Media
The company was founded by S.I.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
1 human-written examples
Bright Pink was founded by--Lindsay Avner.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "founded by" when you want to emphasize the person or group responsible for establishing an organization or institution. This phrasing is clear and widely understood.
Common error
Avoid using "founded on" when you mean "founded by". "Founded on" refers to the principles or basis upon which something is established, whereas "founded by" refers to the person or people who created it.
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "founded by" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, indicating the person or entity responsible for establishing or creating something. It provides information about the origin or establishment of an organization, company, or institution, as Ludwig AI confirms.
Frequent in
News & Media
60%
Formal & Business
20%
Science
10%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
5%
Wiki
3%
Reference
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "founded by" is a versatile prepositional phrase predominantly employed to attribute the establishment of an entity to its originator(s). As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and finds frequent application across diverse contexts, spanning from News & Media to Formal & Business settings. While alternatives like "established by" or "created by" exist, "founded by" maintains its clarity and widespread recognition. Understanding the appropriate register and avoiding common errors, such as confusing it with "founded on", ensures its effective use. With its high frequency and clear purpose, mastering the use of "founded by" strengthens one's ability to articulate the origins of various entities effectively.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
established by
Focuses more on the act of setting up or creating something formally.
created by
Emphasizes the act of bringing something new into existence.
originated by
Highlights the point of origin or beginning of something.
initiated by
Suggests the beginning or start of a process or organization.
started by
A more informal way of saying "founded by".
brought into existence by
A more verbose way of saying something was created.
pioneered by
Implies that someone was the first to develop or use something.
instituted by
Suggests that something was formally established or introduced.
set up by
Focuses on the act of organizing or arranging something.
developed by
Emphasizes the process of growth or improvement of something.
FAQs
How to use "founded by" in a sentence?
Use "founded by" to indicate who started a company, organization, or institution. For example, "Apple was "founded by" Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne."
What can I say instead of "founded by"?
You can use alternatives such as "established by", "created by", or "originated by" depending on the context.
Is it correct to say "was founded on" instead of "founded by"?
"Founded on" refers to the principles or basis of something, while ""founded by"" refers to the person or people who started it. Use "founded on" when referring to principles and ""founded by"" when referring to founders.
What is the difference between "founded by" and "co-founded by"?
"Founded by" indicates the primary founder or founders, while "co-founded by" specifically indicates that multiple individuals were involved in the initial establishment of the entity.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested