there was found

USAGE SUMMARY

"there was found" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a discovery or uncovering of something. For example, "At the crime scene, there was found evidence that the suspect had been there earlier in the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A third Elf executive, André Tarallo, who was once known as "Mr. Africa" because he coordinated Elf's considerable activities there, was found guilty and given a four-year jail term.

The New York Times

Mr. DiMattina, 44, who formerly owned one of Staten Island's most popular catering halls and wanted to make a show about his life there, was found guilty of forcing a rival caterer to withdraw his bid on a lucrative contract for a school lunch program, for which Mr. DiMattina had also bid.

The New York Times

Training manuals were found to be out of date and there was found to be a "degree of fatigue" among the supervisors tasked with keeping the depot safe.

The Guardian

Chelsea Through Aug. 18 Before Pop Art, there was found Pop Art, created by mostly anonymous designers and sign painters to promote commodities and service.

The New York Times - Arts

As a result, a newborn nursery had to be closed to new admissions after an infant there was found to have contracted an infectious disease.

The New York Times

Even I, as cranky a partygoer as ever there was, found myself inspired to strap on my dancing shoes after closing their final pages.

The New York Times - Books

A spokesman for the Rio 2016 organisers said water tests had been conducted and there was found to be "no risk whatsoever" to athletes, though the cause of the colour change was still being investigated.

The Guardian - Sport

Nassau County officials issued a health advisory on Saturday to anyone who had recently eaten at an Italian chain restaurant in Hicksville, after a worker there was found to have typhoid fever.

The New York Times

Here is a use of the word from Sept. 3, 1865 in the article "Suicide at Camden, N.J".: There was found in his pocket a letter addressed "Miss JESSIE, No. 136 South Sixth-street".

The New York Times

The previous day, the State Department had likewise announced the temporary closure of its mail-sorting facility (and the interruption of its postal services), after a worker there was found to have anthrax.

The Economist

He did not bring up Guantánamo, although it has tinged the view of our country in the region he spoke to; or that yesterday a prisoner there was found dead, in what a Pentagon spokeswoman called an apparent suicide, "hanging from his neck by what appears to be bed linen".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there was found" to introduce a discovery, particularly when the emphasis is on the fact that something was uncovered rather than who discovered it. For example, "During the excavation, "there was found" an ancient artifact."

Common error

While "there was found" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound less direct. Consider rewriting the sentence in active voice when appropriate to improve clarity and impact. For example, instead of saying "There was found evidence of tampering", you could say "Investigators found evidence of tampering".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there was found" functions as a passive construction used to introduce the existence or discovery of something. It typically shifts the focus from the actor to the object or information being revealed. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there was found" is a grammatically correct and widely used passive construction to report a discovery or to present evidence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. While "there was found" is suitable for formal contexts like scientific reports and news articles, remember to consider active voice alternatives for more direct and impactful writing. The phrase's frequent appearance in both scientific and news-related contexts underscores its versatility in conveying factual information. Be mindful of subject-verb agreement (there was found vs. there were found) to ensure grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was discovered

Focuses more directly on the act of discovering something.

it was determined

Emphasizes the process of reaching a conclusion or establishing a fact.

it was revealed

Suggests that something previously hidden has become known.

it was identified

Highlights the act of recognizing or pinpointing something specific.

it was established

Emphasizes the act of setting up something in a firm way or establishing with evidence.

it was located

Focuses on finding the physical location of something.

it became apparent

Implies that something became obvious or clear over time.

the existence of was confirmed

Focuses on confirming that something exists.

investigations revealed

Highlights how investigation uncovered things.

the data indicated

Focuses on how data can guide to what has been found.

FAQs

How can I use "there was found" in a sentence?

Use "there was found" to indicate that something was discovered or located. For example, "After searching for hours, "there was found" the missing key". The phrase typically introduces new information or evidence.

What can I say instead of "there was found"?

You can use alternatives like "it was discovered", "it was revealed", or "it was determined" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "there was found"?

While "there was found" is grammatically correct, it's in the passive voice. Using the active voice can often make your writing more direct and impactful. For instance, instead of ""there was found" an error", you could say "I found an error".

Which is correct, "there was found" or "there were found"?

The correct form depends on whether you are referring to a singular or plural noun. Use ""there was found"" for singular nouns (e.g., ""there was found" a mistake"), and "there were found" for plural nouns (e.g., "there were found multiple errors").