that was designed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was designed by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to attribute the creation or design of something to a specific person or group. Example: "The new software interface is user-friendly and intuitive, thanks to the team that was designed by our lead developer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Tony often makes reference to a handy pictorial that was designed by trans activists.

The New Yorker

It's going to look like a building that was designed by us, for sure.

The New York Times

(Minecraft, an expansive world that was designed by only one person, also uses the technique).

The New Yorker

Rubik's Cube, toy, popular in the 1980s, that was designed by Hungarian inventor Erno Rubik.

Britannica

On Monday, several large international banks began circulating a repackaging proposal that was designed by J. P. Morgan.

The New York Times

Our favorite view looks onto an Oakland cemetery that was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted -- specifically, onto a triumphal neo-Classical-style crematorium.

The New York Times

At Georg Jensen on the Upper East Side, she swooned over an elegant handmade sterling silver piece that was designed by Johan Rohde in 1920.

The New York Times

The architect Richard Rogers faces a £5m legal claim over problems at an award-winning 122-home estate near Milton Keynes that was designed by his firm.

The Guardian - Business

The Tzero was based on a mid-90's car called the Sportech that was designed by several Detroit engineers and powered by a motorcycle engine.

The New York Times - Travel

Park Hyatt, Hyatt's luxury division, has just opened a hotel in Milan that was designed by Ed Tuttle, who is known for his work with Amanresorts.

The New York Times - Travel

The dining room is lighted with small fluorescent tubes placed beneath the shelf, and a hanging lamp from Flos that was designed by Ms. Grawunder.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "that was designed by", ensure that the subject you are describing clearly benefits from the design aspect being highlighted. This emphasizes the intentionality and skill involved.

Common error

Avoid using "that was designed by" excessively in your writing. Active voice often makes your sentences more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The website that was designed by our team increased traffic", consider "Our team's website design increased traffic".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was designed by" functions as a relative clause, specifically a non-defining relative clause when it provides extra, non-essential information about a noun. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely applicable, adding detail regarding the origin or authorship of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that was designed by" is a versatile relative clause used to specify the creator of something, whether it's a building, a system, or an idea. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. While the phrase is suitable for various contexts, remember to consider active voice for more direct writing. As demonstrated by examples in Ludwig, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Science articles, making it an essential phrase for clear and informative writing across different domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was created by

Replaces "designed" with the more general term "created".

that was developed by

Substitutes "designed" with "developed", often used for software or systems.

that was conceived by

Emphasizes the initial idea or concept behind the design.

which was planned by

Focuses on the planning aspect of the design process.

that originated with

Highlights the source or starting point of the design.

that comes from the mind of

More poetic expression to mention the author of the design

the brainchild of

Informal way to say that someone design something

crafted by

Replaces "designed" with a term that highlights the craftsmanship.

brought to life by

Replaces "designed" with a term that highlights the action of giving life to the design

envisioned by

Replaces "designed" with a term that highlights the imagination and vision behind the design.

FAQs

How can I use "that was designed by" in a sentence?

Use "that was designed by" to specify the creator of something, like "The building "that was designed by" Frank Lloyd Wright is a masterpiece".

What are some alternatives to "that was designed by"?

You can use alternatives like "that was created by", "that was developed by", or "that originated with" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with phrases like "that was designed by"?

While grammatically correct, using active voice (e.g., "Frank Lloyd Wright designed the building") can often make your writing more direct and impactful. Use passive voice strategically when you want to emphasize the object rather than the creator.

What's the difference between "that was designed by" and "designed by"?

"That was designed by" is a relative clause providing additional information. "Designed by" is a reduced relative clause functioning as an adjective. For example, "The museum "designed by" Renzo Piano is stunning" is more concise than "The museum "that was designed by" Renzo Piano is stunning".