it was designed by

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was designed by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something has been created by someone or something else. Example: The beautiful park was designed by the local council.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was designed by Australian fashion designer Aheda Zanetti.

HuffPost

It was designed by Olly Moss, a famous graphic designer.

BBC

It was designed by wizards in ancient days and its mysteries have been lost to time.

Vice

It was designed by Mme.

The New Yorker

It was designed by FXFowle.

The New York Times

It was designed by Frog.

The New York Times

It was designed by Sage & Coombe Architects.

The New York Times

It was designed by L. Thomasi.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was designed by American architect Maya Lin.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was designed by John H. Duncan.

Britannica

It was designed by Buchman & Fox.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was designed by", ensure that the subject 'it' is clearly defined and understood within the context of your writing to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive voice constructions like "it was designed by" as it can make your writing sound less direct and engaging. Consider using active voice where appropriate, such as "[Name] designed it."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was designed by" functions as a passive construction, indicating the creator or designer of something. This phrasing is used to emphasize the object's design rather than the designer themselves. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its application across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

7%

HuffPost

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was designed by" is a grammatically sound and highly prevalent passive construction used to attribute the creation of something to a specific designer or entity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academia, and Encyclopedias, this phrase is suitable for neutral to formal contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the subject is clear and consider whether active voice might provide a more direct and engaging alternative. Related phrases can offer subtle shifts in meaning and tone, expanding your stylistic choices. Remember to give credit where it is due.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was conceived by

Focuses on the initial idea or concept behind the design. Emphasizes the originator of the idea.

it is the work of

Highlights the effort and skill involved in the design process. Implies a level of craftsmanship.

it has been crafted by

Emphasizes the careful and skillful execution of the design, often suggesting a handcrafted element.

its design is credited to

Credits someone in particular, instead of using an action that results in a design

it is a creation of

Replaces 'designed' with 'creation', emphasizing the act of bringing something into existence. Slightly more formal.

the concept is attributed to

Highlights the conceptual origin and credits the individual responsible for the initial idea.

the designer was

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the designer themselves, rather than the object.

it is attributed to

Replaces the active phrasing to passive; good for not known authorship

the author of the design is

More formal alternative, uses 'author' to emphasize individual creativity and input

it originates from

Highlights place or location instead of a person. Different meaning when speaking about concepts or companies.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was designed by" to sound more formal?

You can use more formal alternatives such as "it is the creation of", "it is the work of", or "the design is attributed to" depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to include 'by [designer]' after saying "it was designed"?

No, it's not always necessary. If the designer is unknown, unimportant, or already clear from the context, you can simply say "it was designed". However, including the designer's name adds clarity and gives credit where it's due.

What's a more concise way to express "it was designed by"?

A more concise option is to use the active voice: "[Designer] designed it." This is often more direct and engaging than the passive construction "it was designed by".

How does using "it was designed by" affect the tone of my writing?

Using "it was designed by" can create a more formal or objective tone compared to using the active voice. However, overuse of passive voice can also make your writing sound less dynamic and engaging. Consider your audience and purpose when choosing between active and passive voice constructions.