was designed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was designed by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing who created something. For example, "The iconic building was designed by the renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It was designed by Mme.

The New Yorker

It was designed by FXFowle.

The New York Times

It was designed by Frog.

The New York Times

It was designed by Sage & Coombe Architects.

The New York Times

It was designed by L. Thomasi.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The part was designed by Lotus.

The New York Times

(The set was designed by John Arnone).

The New Yorker

I was designed by Apple in California.

The New York Times

Lever House was designed by Gordon Bunshaft.

The New York Times - Food

The test was designed by Professor Daniel Nettle.

The Guardian

It was designed by American architect Maya Lin.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Maintain clarity by placing the subject and the designer close together in the sentence, avoiding lengthy interruptions that could confuse the reader.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly specifying who the designer is. Saying "It was designed by them" without prior context can confuse readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was designed by" functions as a passive construction, attributing the act of designing to a specific agent. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it's used to indicate who created or planned something, such as "The building was designed by Arquitectonica". Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

28%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was designed by" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive construction for indicating the creator or planner of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It appears frequently in news, media, and encyclopedic contexts. While versatile, clarity is crucial: ensure the subject and designer are clearly identified. Alternatives like "was created by" or "was engineered by" offer subtle shifts in emphasis. When writing, remember that while the phrase can be used in various registers it's essential to be clear about who the designer is.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was created by

Replaces "designed" with a more general term for making something.

was planned by

Focuses on the initial arrangement and strategy of the design.

was developed by

Focuses on the process of improvement and expansion of the design.

was conceived by

Highlights the originator of the idea behind the design.

was engineered by

Emphasizes the technical aspect of the design process.

was invented by

Highlights the innovative or novel aspect of the design.

was fashioned by

Suggests a creation with a specific style or aesthetic.

was styled by

Emphasizes the aesthetic and visual characteristics of the design.

was authored by

Implies a creation involving intellectual or creative writing.

was produced by

Focuses on the manufacturing or output of the design.

FAQs

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

Use "was designed by" to specify the creator or planner of something. For example, "The application "was designed by" a team of skilled engineers."

What are some alternatives to "was designed by"?

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

Is it correct to say "designed by" without the "was"?

Yes, "designed by" is correct, especially in headings or labels. For example, you might see "Designed by [Designer's Name]" on a product package. However, in a full sentence, ""was designed by"" is generally more grammatically complete.

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

"Was designed by" indicates who created the design, whereas "designed for" indicates the intended purpose or audience. For example, "The chair was designed by Charles Eames" versus "The chair was designed for comfort".