was built by

USAGE SUMMARY

"was built by" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe the creator of something, for example: The Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Empire was built by conquest.

The New York Times

This road was built by Chinese engineers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"America was built by optimists".

The New York Times

It was built by soldiers.

The New Yorker

"The canopy was built by a Dutchman.

The Guardian

It was built by Eastern European Jews.

The New Yorker

The third was built by China.

The Guardian - Film

Long Island was built by glaciers.

The New York Times

It was built by hobbyists, for hobbyists.

The Guardian - Tech

This was built by our taxes.

The New York Times

Miranda was built by her haters".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was built by", ensure the subject of the sentence clearly identifies what was constructed, and the phrase clearly identifies the constructor. Clarity is key for effective communication.

Common error

Avoid attributing the creation to an indirect influence. For example, instead of saying "The success was built by luck", which is vague, be specific: "The company's success was built by the innovative strategies of its founder."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was built by" functions as a passive voice construction indicating the agent or entity responsible for the creation or construction of something. It emphasizes the result of the action and attributes it to the specified creator. As Ludwig AI confirms, this structure is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was built by" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate who or what created something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, from formal writing to everyday conversation. Usage analysis shows it's frequently found in news, academic, and wiki sources. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the exact creator. While synonyms like "was constructed by" or "was created by" exist, "was built by" is often preferred for physical structures or complex systems.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was constructed by

Replaces "built" with the synonym "constructed", emphasizing a more formal or technical sense of creation.

was created by

Substitutes "built" with "created", highlighting the act of bringing something into existence.

was designed by

Focuses on the planning and conceptualization aspect of the creation process rather than the physical construction.

was developed by

Emphasizes a gradual process of improvement and expansion, often used in the context of technology or systems.

was manufactured by

Highlights the industrial production of an item, focusing on mass production and standardized processes.

was assembled by

Refers to the process of putting together pre-made components to form a final product.

was established by

Used when referring to the founding or initiation of an organization, institution, or system.

owes its existence to

Shifts the focus from the act of building to the reason for being, suggesting a dependence on the creator.

is the product of

Highlights the outcome or result of a process or action.

originated with

Points to the initial source or starting point of something, rather than its entire construction.

FAQs

How can I use "was built by" in a sentence?

Use "was built by" to indicate who or what constructed or created something. For instance, "The house was built by skilled craftsmen" or "The software was built by a team of dedicated engineers".

What are some alternatives to "was built by"?

You can use alternatives like "was constructed by", "was created by", or "was designed by" depending on the specific context you're aiming for.

Is it correct to say "was build by" instead of "was built by"?

No, "was build by" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "was built by", using the past participle of the verb "build".

What's the difference between "was built by" and "was made by"?

"Was built by" typically implies a more complex construction process, while "was made by" is more general and can refer to any process of creation or manufacture. For example, you might say a house "was built by" a construction company, but a simple toy "was made by" a child.