was built

USAGE SUMMARY

"was built" is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
Use it when referring to something that was created or constructed in the past. For example: "The castle was built in the 1300s."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No arena was built.

The New York Times

A new auditorium was built.

The Economist

"That's where she was built.

Independent

A new subcellar was built.

The New York Times

He was built to win.

The New York Times

It was built for speed.

The New Yorker

It was built… Alt., 564.

The New Yorker

It was built in 1935.

The New York Times

It was built on books.

The New York Times - Arts

One was built in Ireland.

Independent

A new sewer was built.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure the tense is consistent with the timeframe being discussed. If the building is still standing, using a past perfect tense like "had been built" might imply it no longer exists.

Common error

Avoid using "was build" as it is grammatically incorrect. The past participle of "build" is "built."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was built" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence received the action of building. It is composed of the auxiliary verb "was" (past tense of "be") and the past participle "built". As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard grammatical form.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was built" is a grammatically correct and very common passive construction used to describe the past creation or construction of something. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is widely accepted in English. Analysis of Ludwig's examples reveals its prevalence across various contexts, especially in news and media, wiki articles, and scientific reports. The register is generally neutral, making it appropriate for diverse writing styles. When using this phrase, remember to maintain tense consistency and avoid the common error of using the base verb form "build". Related alternatives like "was constructed" or "was created" can provide stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was constructed

Replaces "built" with a synonym emphasizing the act of construction.

was created

Offers a broader term for bringing something into existence, applicable beyond physical structures.

was established

Suggests setting up or founding something, suitable for institutions or systems.

was erected

Emphasizes the vertical construction or raising of a structure.

was fabricated

Implies manufacturing or assembling something from different parts.

was assembled

Focuses on the process of putting parts together to form a whole.

was developed

Highlights the gradual process of growth or advancement into a finished product.

was formed

Indicates the shaping or molding of something into a particular form.

came into existence

A more verbose phrase emphasizing the beginning of something's being.

originated

Focuses on the starting point or source of something's creation.

FAQs

How do I use "was built" in a sentence?

Use "was built" to describe something that has been constructed or created in the past. For example, "The bridge "was built" in 1932."

What can I say instead of "was built"?

Alternatives include "was constructed", "was created", or "was established" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was built" or "was build"?

"Was built" is correct. "Build" is the base form of the verb, but the past participle used with "was" is "built".

What's the difference between "was built" and "is built"?

"Was built" refers to something completed in the past, while "is built" refers to the current state or method of construction. For example, "The house "was built" in 1920" vs. "The house "is built" of brick".