was born

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was born" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to a person's date of birth, for example: "John Smith was born on July 23rd, 1990."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was born in 1987".

The New York Times - Magazine

She was born in New York in 1967.

The New Yorker

Lambeau was born in Green Bay in 1898.

The New York Times - Sports

And history was born.

Science Magazine

A standard was born.

Science Magazine

30AU was born.

BBC

The universe was born hot.

Science Magazine

A nature photographer was born.

Science Magazine

Earth was born into violence.

Science Magazine

Dr. Barend Mons was born in 1957.

Science Magazine

The company, Senetek, was born in 1983.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was born", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to a person's birth, the origin of an idea, or the beginning of an event. For clarity, specify the location or year alongside "was born".

Common error

Avoid using "was born" when an active construction is more appropriate. For example, instead of "The idea was born by the team", use "The team conceived the idea".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was born" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating the beginning of existence. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness. It's frequently used to specify the circumstances or time when someone or something began.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was born" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to denote the beginning of existence, whether referring to a person, idea, or event. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability. It commonly appears in science and news contexts, serving to provide essential background information. While alternatives like "originated" or "came into existence" exist, "was born" offers a direct and widely understood means of conveying origin. When using this phrase, clarity is key: specify the location, time, or relevant conditions to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

came into existence

This phrase indicates the moment something started to exist.

was created

Focuses on the act of creation, highlighting the process that led to the thing's existence.

originated

This alternative describes the point at which something began or arose.

emerged

Highlights the appearance or rise of something, often unexpectedly.

was established

Implies a formal beginning or founding.

was founded

Suggests the establishment of an organization or institution.

arose

Similar to 'emerged', but can also imply a response to a situation.

began

A simple and direct way to express the start of something.

was initiated

Focuses on the start or introduction of a project or process.

sprang up

Implies a sudden or rapid beginning.

FAQs

How can I use "was born" in a sentence?

Use "was born" to indicate the origin of someone or something. For example, "She was born in London", or "The concept of the internet "came into existence" in the late 20th century".

What are some alternatives to "was born"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "originated", "came into existence", "was created", or "was founded".

Is it correct to say "borned" instead of "was born"?

No, "borned" is not grammatically correct. The correct past participle of 'bear' (in the context of giving birth) is "born". Therefore, the correct phrase is "was born".

What is the difference between "was born" and "born into"?

"Was born" indicates the place or time of birth, such as "He was born in 1980". "Born into" describes the circumstances or social environment at birth, such as "She was born into a wealthy family".