have been founded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'have been founded' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are talking about something or someplace that was created or established in the past. For example, "The city of San Francisco has been founded since 1776."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Religions have been founded on less.

The Guardian - Arts

Other countries have been founded by "accidents of force".

The New York Times

In the months since then, many more have been founded.

The New York Times

Entire religions, entire empires, have been founded on much less.

The New Yorker

But sometimes the industry's fears have been founded on real market research.

The New Yorker

Gamergate — the corrosive online cultural movement — might as well have been founded by the Trio.

The New Yorker

It is believed to have been founded by the Bhoro people.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Since then numerous other communities or brotherhoods have been founded in England.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One man has been arrested, while the decapitated remains of a body have been founded.

Independent

A number of public and private programs have been founded to address this growing concern.

The New Yorker

After all, the network claims to have been founded in 1896.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about the origins of an organization or institution, use "have been founded" to emphasize the act of establishment and its continued relevance.

Common error

Avoid using "found" in place of "founded." "Founded" means to establish or create, while "found" means to discover. Using the wrong word alters the meaning entirely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been founded" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject of the sentence was established or created by someone or something else. As Ludwig AI states, it describes something created in the past. For instance, "Religions "have been founded" on less."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

21%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been founded" is a grammatically sound passive verb phrase widely used to describe the establishment of entities, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is versatile enough to be used in various contexts, from news reports to scientific publications, with a generally neutral to professional tone. While alternatives like "were established" exist, "have been founded" emphasizes both the historical act of founding and its continued relevance. Remembering to differentiate "founded" from "found" is crucial to maintain clarity and accuracy in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were established

Emphasizes the act of setting up or establishing something, often implying a formal process.

were created

Focuses on the act of bringing something into existence, highlighting the creation process.

were initiated

Highlights the beginning or starting point of a project, organization, or movement.

were started

A more informal way of saying something was begun or originated.

were originated

Stresses the point of origin or where something began.

were inaugurated

Implies a formal or official beginning, often used for institutions or projects.

were pioneered

Suggests that something was the first of its kind or involved innovative methods.

were developed

Focuses on the process of growth and improvement over time.

were instituted

Implies a formal establishment by authority or law.

were commenced

A formal way to indicate the beginning of something, similar to initiated.

FAQs

How do I use "have been founded" in a sentence?

Use "have been founded" to describe the establishment of something in the past that continues to exist or have relevance in the present. For example, "Many charities "have been founded" to address social issues".

What are some alternatives to "have been founded"?

Alternatives include "were established", "were created", or "were initiated", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "have been founded" and "were founded"?

"Have been founded" implies a connection to the present, suggesting ongoing impact or relevance, while "were founded" simply refers to a past event without necessarily emphasizing the present. However, the distinction is not a strict rule, and in many contexts, they are interchangeable.

Is it correct to say "was founded" instead of "have been founded"?

Saying "was founded" is grammatically correct when referring to a single event in the past. "Have been founded" is used when referring to a plural subject or when emphasizing the continuing relevance of the founding.