was devised by

USAGE SUMMARY

"was devised by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to mention the originator of a particular idea, plan, or method. For example: The system of filing documents was devised by an innovative office manager.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even the name was devised by Giugiaro.

The New York Times

The system was devised by Capt.

Britannica

It was devised by Barbara Machin.

The Guardian

The project was devised by Trinity Mirror's data unit.

The Guardian

The free schools policy was devised by Gove.

The Guardian

It is more than 200 years since homeopathy was devised by Samuel Hahnemann, a German doctor.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Like many mass-manufactured products of political importance, the AK-47 was devised by committee.

The New York Times - Arts

On a smaller scale, "Marjana" was devised by its company over three years.

The New York Times

The public art project was devised by Calgary to highlight its cherished water treatment system.

The Guardian

The suit-preference signal was devised by Hy Lavinthal in 1934.

The New York Times

The injured Santa concept was devised by the New York advertising agency Cliff Freeman & Partners.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was devised by", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what entity originated the idea, plan, or method. This adds clarity and authority to your writing.

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice structure "was devised by" repeatedly in your writing. Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding monotonous. Active voice often provides a more direct and impactful delivery.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was devised by" functions as a passive construction indicating attribution or origin. It highlights the creator or originator of an idea, plan, method, or system. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, affirming its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

39%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was devised by" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate the creator or originator of a plan, method, or system. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's correct and usable in written English. While prevalent in News & Media and Science, it maintains a neutral to formal register. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity about the originator and consider varying sentence structure to avoid overuse of the passive voice. Remember that active voice can provide a direct and impactful writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was invented by

Focuses specifically on the creation of something entirely new, usually a device or process.

was developed by

Highlights the process of improvement or refinement of an existing concept or product.

was created by

Emphasizes the act of bringing something into existence.

was designed by

Implies a deliberate plan or intention in the creation process.

was formulated by

Suggests a careful and systematic approach to creating a plan or idea.

was originated by

Highlights the point of commencement or beginning of something.

was authored by

Emphasizes the creation of written works or creative content.

was pioneered by

Indicates the introduction of something new, often involving risk and innovation.

was established by

Focuses on setting up or founding something like an organization or system.

was instituted by

Implies the formal introduction or implementation of a rule or practice.

FAQs

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

Use "was devised by" to indicate the creator or originator of a plan, method, or system. For instance, "The strategy "was devised by" the marketing team to increase sales".

What are some alternatives to "was devised by"?

You can use alternatives such as "was created by", "was developed by", or "was designed by" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "was devised by"?

While "was devised by" is grammatically correct in passive voice, using the active voice (e.g., "The team devised the plan") can often make your writing more direct and impactful.

What is the difference between "was devised by" and "was invented by"?

"Was devised by" generally refers to a plan, method, or system, whereas "was invented by" typically refers to a new device or product. The subtle change of focus can be meaningful.