helped to found

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "helped to found" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone's role in establishing or creating something. For example, "She helped to found the nonprofit organization that provides aid to underprivileged children."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He helped to found the Scanlon Inn of Court.

The New York Times

She helped to found the New York Women's Bar Association.

The New York Times

Mr. Atick helped to found the group in 1998.

The New York Times

He helped to found a lobby for boardroom reform.

The Economist

More than 20 African countries helped to found the I.C.C.

The New York Times

Last year Swati Ramanathan helped to found a website, www.ipaidabribe.com.com

The Economist

Along the way, he helped to found the Library of America.

Harvard University

Four years ago, he helped to found his own charter school in the same city.

Princeton University

He helped to found the Lawyering in the Digital Age Clinic.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

People need to be helped to find jobs.

The Guardian - Business

Bailey has helped to find leaders for each of them.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "helped to found", clearly specify what was founded and, if relevant, the extent of the person's involvement. For example, "She helped to found the organization, contributing initial funding and developing its core mission."

Common error

Avoid using "helped to found" when someone was the sole founder. Instead, use "founded" or "established" to accurately reflect their role.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "helped to found" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that someone contributed to the establishment or creation of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. This phrase is often used to describe a supporting role in the founding of an organization or institution.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

35%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "helped to found" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that signifies a contribution to the establishment or creation of something. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is typically used to describe someone's role in establishing or creating something. While suitable for various contexts, it is most frequently found in news and media, academic writing, and encyclopedias. When using "helped to found", ensure you accurately represent the individual's role and the extent of their involvement. Alternatives like "assisted in establishing" or "played a role in creating" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Remember that "helped to found" implies a supporting role and should not be used when someone was the sole founder. By understanding its grammatical function, communicative purpose, and appropriate usage, you can effectively incorporate "helped to found" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assisted in establishing

Replaces "helped" with a more formal synonym, "assisted", and "found" with "establishing", maintaining a similar level of formality.

contributed to the founding of

Emphasizes the contribution aspect, highlighting that the person added something to the act of founding.

aided in the creation of

Similar to "assisted in establishing" but with a slightly different nuance, focusing on the creation aspect.

played a role in creating

Substitutes the entire phrase with a more general description of involvement in the creation process.

was instrumental in starting

Replaces "helped" with "was instrumental", emphasizing the importance of the contribution to the beginning of something.

was a key figure in launching

Emphasizes the person's importance in the launching or initiation of something.

facilitated the formation of

Highlights the act of making the formation easier or possible.

supported the establishment of

Focuses on the supportive role in the establishment rather than direct founding.

collaborated in the initiation of

Focuses on the collaborative aspect of starting something new.

had a hand in originating

An idiomatic expression indicating involvement in the beginning or creation of something.

FAQs

How can I use "helped to found" in a sentence?

Use "helped to found" to indicate someone played a role in establishing an organization, company, or institution, but wasn't necessarily the only founder. For example: "He "helped to found" the local community center."

What's a synonym for "helped to found"?

Alternatives include "assisted in establishing", "played a role in creating", or "was instrumental in starting". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "helped in founding" instead of "helped to found"?

While "helped in founding" is grammatically correct, ""helped to found"" is more common and generally preferred, especially in formal writing.

What's the difference between "founded" and "helped to found"?

"Founded" implies primary or sole responsibility for establishing something. "Helped to found" suggests a supporting role alongside other founders.